Solar energy for both power generation and heating

Are solar energy based plants a viable alternative to heat and electricity?

Given the ambitious climate and energy targets of Denmark and the other Nordic countries, solar energy based plants could provide a technically and economically feasible alternative for the combined production of heat and electricity.

Should solar energy be used for heat and power generation?

The utilization of solar energy for heat and power generation has recently attracted increased interest as is evident from the significant number of research publications in the last 4–5 years.

Why is solar energy based heat and power plants important?

It is important for the solar energy based heat and power plants to follow the dynamic characteristics of the consumer load profiles for reliably satisfying the end-user demands. Solar-only technologies have been found to be incapable of doing so. Some form of hybridization, storage, or backup is necessary.

How do solar PV systems provide both electricity and heat?

With the use of solar PV technology, the most researched way of supplying both electricity and heat is through the use of solar PVT systems , . A solar PVT system consists of a PV panel where the heat generated by the PV panel while in operation is extracted by water, air, or a coolant, as shown in Fig. 3.