Complementary products Solar architecture and heat pump
Why might a standard photovoltaic system not be enough?
Take the example of a typical single-family house of 150m². Without a heat pump, the annual energy consumption is about 4000 kWh. After installing the heat pump, the demand increases to about 7500-8000 kWh per year. This is a significant difference that requires a thoughtful approach to the design of a photovoltaic system.
Moreover, the greatest energy demand occurs in winter, when the heat pump is working most intensively. Unfortunately, this is when standard photovoltaic installations produce the least amount of energy - even 4-5 times less than in summer. This means that we need much more installed capacity to balance our needs on a yearly basis.
How to increase energy production without aesthetic compromises?
The traditional approach would be to add more photovoltaic panels on the roof. However, there is often a lack of space there, and large black surfaces can disrupt the aesthetics of the building. Fortunately, there are now more elegant solutions.
Modern photovoltaic systems integrated into the building (BIPV) allow to use not only the roof, but also other architectural elements for energy production. Let's look at how we can comprehensively approach this challenge:
Solar roof as the basis of the system
Let's start with the roof - instead of traditional photovoltaic panels, we can use the eTile solar roof. For example, on a 180m² roof, we can install the eTile Flat system with a capacity of about 15 kWp, assuming that the active slope is half of the roof. It is already a solid foundation for our energy system.
Power Station Function Fence
Let's imagine a typical plot of 30x40m. Using the eFence fencing system over a length of 70 meters (without gate and wicket), we can obtain an additional 16.7 kWp of power. Moreover, the fence will look modern and elegant, without betraying its additional function.
Bioclimatic pergola
By adding a 5x4.5m solar pergola to our system, we gain another 3.2 kWp. In addition to energy production, the pergola will provide us with a comfortable space to relax, protecting from the sun and rain. And thanks to the integrated photovoltaic lamellas, we can regulate the amount of light and generate energy at the same time.
eBlade shutter system
On the southern facade, we can install the eBlade shutter system, which will not only protect against overheating of the premises in the summer, but also provide additional energy. With an area of 30m² we can obtain about 13 kWp of power.
Balanced system - real benefits
Combining all these elements, we get a system with a total power of about 37.6 kWp. This is enough to cover the year-round demand of a home with a heat pump, even taking into account winter production declines. In combination with energy storage, such a system provides true energy independence.
Importantly, each of these elements also fulfills its primary utility function - whether as a roofing, fence or shading element. Energy production is, as it were, an additional benefit that does not negatively affect aesthetics and functionality.
Financial benefits
Although the initial investment may seem significant, it is worth looking at it comprehensively. For example, if we plan to build a fence or pergola anyway, the additional cost of the photovoltaic version is only 15-25% of the standard price. In the case of a solar roof, the difference from the traditional roof with separately mounted photovoltaics is about 10-20%.
Given the rising energy prices and the increasing demand for electricity in modern homes, such an investment pays off relatively quickly. Moreover, elegant, integrated solutions increase the value of the property and provide an additional asset for a possible sale.
The integration of a heat pump with photovoltaics requires a thoughtful approach and a correspondingly high installed capacity. Thanks to modern BIPV solutions, we can significantly increase energy production without aesthetic compromises, using architectural elements that we plan in our investment anyway. It is a forward-looking approach that ensures true energy independence and comfort of use all year round.
Did you know that in winter a heat pump can consume up to 5 times more energy than in summer? That is why it is so important to properly balance the photovoltaic system.
