Published： March 28, 2026
Last Modified：August 5, 2026
Heat pumps are one of the most important technologies for renewable heating.
However, every heat pump requires a suitable heat source.
Traditional heat pump systems may use:
A photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector provides another option:
A solar-based heat source that can also generate electricity.
A PVT heat pump system combines:
This creates an integrated renewable energy system for heating, hot water, and energy-efficient buildings.
A heat pump does not create heat directly.
Instead, it transfers thermal energy from a source to a useful application.
The basic process:
Heat Source
↓
Heat Pump
↓
Building Heating / Hot WaterThe performance of a heat pump depends strongly on:
A suitable heat source can improve:
A PVT heat pump system combines solar energy collection with heat pump technology.
The system has two energy pathways.
Solar Energy
↓
PVT Collector
↓
Thermal Energy
↓
Heat Pump
↓
Heating / Hot WaterSolar Energy
↓
PV Module
↓
Electricity
↓
Heat Pump / Building LoadsThe result is a combined renewable energy system.
Solar Radiation
↓
PVT Collector
┌───────────────┐
│ │
↓ ↓
Electricity Thermal Energy
↓ ↓
Inverter Heat Pump
↓ ↓
Building Loads Heating SystemThe IEA SHC Task 60 identifies heat pump integration as one of the important application areas for PVT technology.
A heat pump requires electricity to operate.
A PVT collector can provide:
Used for:
Used as:
This creates a combined solar-electric and solar-thermal solution.
Air source heat pumps extract heat from ambient air.
System:
Ambient Air
↓
Heat Pump
↓
HeatingPVT heat pump systems:
Solar Radiation
↓
PVT Collector
↓
Heat Pump
↓
Heating| Feature | Air Source Heat Pump | PVT Heat Pump |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Ambient air | Solar thermal collector |
| Solar electricity | No | Yes |
| Thermal source control | Depends on weather | Depends on PVT system |
| Roof integration | Limited | Strong |
| Additional solar output | No | Yes |
Ground source heat pumps use underground heat.
Typical system:
Ground Loop
↓
Heat Pump
↓
BuildingPVT heat pump system:
PVT Collector
↓
Heat Pump
↓
Building| Feature | Ground Source | PVT Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Ground | Solar collector |
| Ground drilling required | Usually yes | No |
| Installation space | Underground requirement | Roof / outdoor collector |
| Solar electricity generation | No | Yes |
| System complexity | Higher installation | Solar-thermal integration |
Ground source systems may require:
PVT can provide a solar-based heat source without underground installation.
However, system suitability depends on:
Brine PVT uses an antifreeze-based heat transfer fluid.
The brine loop transfers heat from the PVT collector to the heat pump.
PVT Collector
↓
Brine Circuit
↓
Heat Pump Evaporator
↓
Heating SystemThe main purpose of brine is:
This makes brine PVT suitable for:
DX means direct expansion.
In a DX PVT system, refrigerant circulates directly through the collector.
The collector acts as part of the refrigeration cycle.
DX PVT Collector
↓
Refrigerant Evaporation
↓
Compressor
↓
Heat Pump OutputDX PVT may provide:
DX systems require careful design of:
The system provides:
✓ electricity
✓ thermal energy
from the same solar collector area.
Instead of using solar energy only for electricity:
PVT captures:
Compared with conventional systems:
PVT can provide a renewable heat source directly on-site.
Where roof area is limited:
one collector provides multiple energy outputs.
PVT heat pump systems also require careful engineering.
The collector must match:
Important factors:
The system must ensure:
Solar availability changes throughout the year.
System design should consider:
Selection should follow the application.
Determine:
General guidance:
| Application | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| Low-temperature heat pump source | Brine PVT |
| Refrigerant integration | DX PVT |
| General liquid heating | Liquid PVT |
Consider:
Consider:
✓ Renewable heating is required.
✓ Electricity and heat are both valuable.
✓ Roof area is limited.
✓ Ground source installation is difficult.
✓ No solar installation area exists.
✓ Thermal demand is limited.
✓ A simpler system is preferred.
This article applies:
System design should consider:
Yes.
PVT collectors can provide renewable thermal energy for suitable heat pump systems.
Not always.
The best choice depends on climate, system design, and energy requirements.
In some applications, PVT can provide an alternative renewable heat source.
However, suitability depends on project conditions.
Brine PVT uses antifreeze fluid to transfer thermal energy from the collector to the heat pump.
DX PVT uses refrigerant directly inside the collector as part of the heat pump refrigeration cycle.
Yes.
The photovoltaic output can contribute to powering the heat pump system.
Selecting the correct PVT heat pump system requires matching:
Solis PVT provides technical guidance for photovoltaic thermal heat pump applications.