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Performance Analysis and Optimisation of a Solar On-Grid Air Conditioner

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco J. Aguilar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Javier Ruiz

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Manuel Lucas

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Pedro G. Vicente

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, 03202 Elche, Spain)

Abstract

Solar-powered air conditioners offer a high potential for energy-efficient cooling with a high economic feasibility. They can significantly reduce the energy consumption in the building sector, which is essential to meet the greater ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in the EU by 2050. This paper presents a computational model development capable of simulating the behaviour of a photovoltaic-assisted heat pump in different locations and working conditions. In addition, this model has been used to optimise a solar on-grid air conditioning system. The generated model has been validated with experimental data obtained in a real facility for a whole summer of operation (more than 100 tested days) in a Mediterranean climate (Alicante, Spain). According to the simulation results, the average Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of the system is 16.0, 10.7 and 7.8 in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, respectively. The optimisation analysis has proven that the severity of the climatic region increases the costs as well as the optimum PV power to drive the AC unit. The obtained values for the the PV power and the annualised cost are 400 W and 506.2 € for Barcelona, 900 W and 536.7 € for Madrid, and 1300 W and 564.7 € for Seville. The annualised cost and the CO 2 emission levels are higher for the conventional system (no PV panels) than for the solar on-grid system, regardless of the installed PV power. This difference can be up to 66.64 € (10.55%) and 112.94 kg CO 2 (64.83%) per summer season in the case of Seville.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco J. Aguilar & Javier Ruiz & Manuel Lucas & Pedro G. Vicente, 2021. "Performance Analysis and Optimisation of a Solar On-Grid Air Conditioner," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:23:p:8054-:d:693139
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Xinru & Xia, Liang & Bales, Chris & Zhang, Xingxing & Copertaro, Benedetta & Pan, Song & Wu, Jinshun, 2020. "A systematic review of recent air source heat pump (ASHP) systems assisted by solar thermal, photovoltaic and photovoltaic/thermal sources," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2472-2487.
    2. Li, Y. & Zhao, B.Y. & Zhao, Z.G. & Taylor, R.A. & Wang, R.Z., 2018. "Performance study of a grid-connected photovoltaic powered central air conditioner in the South China climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1113-1125.
    3. Singh, G.K., 2013. "Solar power generation by PV (photovoltaic) technology: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1-13.
    4. Carlos Fernández Bandera & Jose Pachano & Jaume Salom & Antonis Peppas & Germán Ramos Ruiz, 2020. "Photovoltaic Plant Optimization to Leverage Electric Self Consumption by Harnessing Building Thermal Mass," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, January.
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    1. Tadeusz Olejarz & Dominika Siwiec & Andrzej Pacana, 2022. "Method of Qualitative–Environmental Choice of Devices Converting Green Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Alexander V. Klokov & Alexander S. Tutunin & Elizaveta S. Sharaborova & Aleksei A. Korshunov & Egor Y. Loktionov, 2023. "Inverter Heat Pumps as a Variable Load for Off-Grid Solar-Powered Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-17, August.

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