PVT Readiness of Heat Pumps – Definition and Market Overview

Abstract

Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) collectors offer significant potential to boost the efficiency of heat pump systems - provided that heat pumps are optimised to work with them. A recent market study explored the readiness of brine heat pumps for PVT integration, focusing on two operational modes: on the one hand, using PVT collectors as the sole heat source and on the other hand, combining PVT with geothermal systems. As part of the German initiative IntegraTE-XL, the project consortium developed clear criteria for defining "PVT-ready" heat pumps in both configurations. A comprehensive market survey followed, resulting in an overview of products that meet this new definition in various ways.