Solar Powered HVAC System Integration
Solar-powered HVAC systems face distinct operational challenges at the intersection of renewable energy and thermal management. Field measurements show that solar-thermal integration can reduce grid electricity consumption by 40-60%, but system performance varies significantly with solar insolation levels, ambient temperatures, and dynamic cooling loads. Current installations must manage the mismatch between peak solar availability (10am-2pm) and peak cooling demands (2pm-6pm).
The fundamental challenge lies in optimizing the capture, storage, and deployment of intermittent solar energy while maintaining consistent HVAC performance across all operating conditions.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including dual-function solar chimney heat exchangers, integrated photovoltaic-thermal panels with heat-conducting interfaces, adaptive battery management systems, and direct thermal energy conversion mechanisms. These and other approaches focus on maximizing system efficiency while ensuring reliable operation throughout daily and seasonal cycles.
1. Air Conditioning System with Solar-Integrated Battery Management and Adaptive Charging Mechanism
HAIER SMART HOME CO LTD, 2024
Air conditioning system with intelligent charging management that optimizes energy efficiency through solar-powered charging. The system comprises an indoor unit and at least one outdoor unit, with an electric heating device for melting ice in the outdoor unit. The system incorporates a battery management system that automatically switches between solar charging and battery power when the battery's capacity falls below a predetermined level. The system also enables adaptive charging based on the sun's position to maximize energy harvesting.
2. Air Source Heat Pump System with Dual-Function Solar Chimney Heat Exchanger Configuration
YANGZHOU UNIV, 2024
Air source heat pump system that utilizes solar chimney heat for both heating and cooling operations. The system employs a unique configuration where the solar chimney serves as both the condenser and evaporator for the air source heat pump, enabling frost-free operation during winter and efficient regeneration during summer. The solar chimney heat is captured and utilized to enhance the heat exchanger's performance, while the system's advanced defrosting mechanism minimizes energy consumption during the defrosting process. This innovative approach enables the air source heat pump to maintain optimal performance throughout the year, while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
3. Solar-Air Heating and Cooling System with Artificial Technology-Driven Low-Temperature Heat Conversion Mechanism
中山市南诚电器实业有限公司, 2024
A combined solar-air heating and cooling system that enhances the performance of both renewable energy sources. The system incorporates a mechanical device that utilizes artificial technology to convert low-temperature heat from environmental sources into high-temperature heat for both heating and cooling applications. This device enables efficient energy conversion between solar heating and air conditioning, particularly in low-temperature conditions, thereby improving overall system performance and reliability.
4. Solar-Driven Radiant Cooling System with Integrated Dehumidifier and Humidifier Components
JIAXING UNIVERSITY, 2023
A solar-driven radiant cooling air conditioner that uses solar energy to provide cooling without high electric consumption. The system has a solar generator, solar collector, dehumidifier, humidifier, radiant coil, and condensing unit. The dehumidifier dries and cools air using a heated dehumidification solution from the solar collector. The cooled air goes through the condensing unit, then is humidified by the humidifier before passing through the radiant coil to cool the room. A pump moves fluid between the solar collector, dehumidifier, and storage tank.
5. Heat Recovery System with Integrated Solar Thermal Panels and Controlled Flow Distribution
China Huadian Engineering Co., Ltd., HUADIAN COMPREHENSIVE INTELLIGENT ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, CHINA HUADIAN ENGINEERING CO LTD, 2022
A heat recovery system for air conditioning units that utilizes solar thermal panels to preheat the system while recovering waste heat. The system comprises a solar thermal panel, a hot water storage tank, and a circulating water pump. The solar panel's hot water is fed into the system through a water supply line, while the hot water is then distributed to the preheating and reheating sections of the air conditioning unit and exhaust fan. The system incorporates electric valves at critical junctions to control the flow of hot water between the solar panel, storage tank, and system components.
6. Heat Pump with Integrated Solar Panel and Movable Air Filter Door
Yimeida New Energy Co., Ltd., 2022
Energy-efficient air-energy heat pump with integrated solar power generation. The heat pump comprises a main body with ventilation openings, a thermal energy conversion box, and a conveying pipe connection frame. The solar panel is integrated into the main body's top, enabling direct conversion of solar thermal energy into electrical power. The heat pump's main body features a movable air filter door, which can be replaced by a controller to optimize system performance. This innovative design enables both efficient heat transfer and renewable energy harvesting, significantly enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the heat pump system.
7. Integrated Photovoltaic and Air Heat Collector Panel with Heat-Conducting Oil Interface
YUMIN TANG, 唐玉敏, 2022
A multifunctional panel combining photovoltaic cells and air energy heat collectors, where the photovoltaic cells generate waste heat that is utilized by the air energy heat pump system. The panel comprises photovoltaic cells and heat collectors integrated together through a sealed gap, with a heat-conducting oil filling the gap. This design enables the photovoltaic cells to generate heat while the air energy heat pump system absorbs the waste heat, achieving both energy generation and heat recovery simultaneously.
8. Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Hybrid Air Conditioning System with Integrated Energy Generation and Cooling Mechanism
YUNNAN JINGNENG TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 云南晶能科技有限公司, 2021
A solar photovoltaic and light-heat integrated air conditioning system for remote areas where electricity is scarce. The system combines solar photovoltaic panels with a conventional air conditioning unit to generate electricity and heat, thereby providing both power and cooling. The system's design enables reliable operation in areas without access to commercial electricity, while harnessing the abundant solar energy available.
9. Integrated Photovoltaic and Heat-Concentrating Panel for Combined Electricity and Air Heating
JING CHANGXUN, 2021
A multifunctional photovoltaic panel and air energy collector panel that integrates both solar power generation and air heating capabilities. The system combines a photovoltaic panel with a heat-concentrating panel to generate both electricity and heat. This integrated design enables the system to operate in both photovoltaic power generation and air heating modes, achieving higher overall efficiency compared to separate systems. The photovoltaic panel absorbs solar energy, while the heat-concentrating panel absorbs waste heat from the photovoltaic array to provide supplemental heating. This integrated design enables both electricity generation and heat production in a single system.
10. Integrated Solar Energy and Building Air Conditioning System with Direct Thermal Energy Conversion
盐城工学院, 江苏悦达绿色建筑科技有限公司, YANCHENG INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 2021
Solar power system for building air conditioning that maximizes energy conversion efficiency. The system integrates solar energy harvesting with a building air conditioning system, enabling direct conversion of solar power into thermal energy. This approach eliminates intermediate energy conversion steps, significantly improving efficiency compared to conventional systems.
11. Modular Solar-Powered Air Conditioning System with Integrated Photovoltaic Cells and Thermal Management
Paul Rees Arndt, RIIS ARNDT PAUL, 2021
Compact, free-standing solar-powered air conditioning system that integrates photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller, battery unit, and vapor compression air cooling device into a single, modular unit. The system features a detachable solar storage module with built-in temperature management system, where the PV module generates heat during operation. The cooling module utilizes this thermal energy to maintain a stable operating temperature, while the MPPT charge controller optimizes energy harvesting from the solar array. The system enables efficient, plug-and-play operation for buildings requiring cooling, particularly in urban areas where traditional cooling systems are often insufficient.
12. Solar Thermal System with Valve-Controlled Water Circulation Paths for Heat and Cooling Distribution
Han Shaoliang, SHAOLIANG HAN, 2021
A solar heating and air conditioning system that optimizes energy efficiency through advanced water circulation management. The system integrates a heat collector, energy storage tank, and multiple water circulation paths to manage water distribution between heating, cooling, and hot water applications. A unique valve-controlled system enables precise control of water flow between the collector, storage tank, and distribution network, maximizing solar energy utilization while minimizing energy losses.
13. Central Air Conditioning System with Integrated Solar Radiation Absorption Module and Heat Pump Unit
LONGHAI ENERGY GROUP CO LTD, 2020
Central air conditioning system that uses solar energy to reduce reliance on traditional power sources. The system combines a heat pump unit with a solar radiation absorption module. The solar module provides cold and heat to the air conditioner, while the heat pump unit can also generate cooling/heating. This allows the air conditioner to regulate indoor temperature using solar energy. The solar module can have components like photovoltaics, solar panels, and fans for absorbing solar radiation and providing cold/heat.
14. Integrated Solar-Powered Air Conditioning and Water Heating System with Wind Turbines and Buffer Tank
ANHUI YUANMAO ENERGY SAVING TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 安徽源茂节能科技有限公司, 2019
Solar-based indoor temperature control system that optimizes energy efficiency through a novel configuration of air conditioning and water heating. The system integrates multiple air conditioning units with wind turbines, each powered by solar energy, and a buffer tank to maintain consistent indoor temperatures. The system includes a solar panel array, preheating mechanism, and temperature controller, which work together to provide both air conditioning and heating functions. The preheating mechanism utilizes the solar energy to preheat the air conditioning system, while the buffer tank maintains a consistent water temperature during the heating cycle. The system features advanced temperature control and energy management capabilities that enable efficient operation of both heating and cooling systems.
15. HVAC System with Integrated Solar Energy Harvesting and Heat Recovery Mechanism
DALIAN VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE, 大连职业技术学院, 2019
Solar air-conditioning heating and ventilation system that integrates solar energy harvesting with HVAC functionality. The system comprises a solar panel connected to a heat recovery device, which in turn connects to a power source. The power source is then connected to a heating element. This integrated design enables efficient energy conversion from solar radiation to HVAC operation, while maintaining the benefits of renewable energy.
16. Solar Heating and Air Conditioning System with Dual Heat Exchange Cycles and Automatic Air Intake Sealing Mechanism
SHANDONG TAIAN YIMEIDA ENERGY TECH CO LTD, 2019
Solar heating and air conditioning system that addresses the common challenge of intermittent heating by utilizing solar energy to continuously heat a storage tank. The system comprises a solar heating device with two heat exchange cycles: a conventional heating/refrigeration cycle in the air conditioning system and a specialized solar heating cycle that utilizes solar energy to heat the storage tank. During winter months, the solar heating cycle enhances the conventional heating cycle, providing continuous heating even in low-light conditions. The system features a connecting cover plate that automatically seals the air intake when not in operation, preventing dust accumulation and enhancing its overall performance.
17. Air Conditioning System with Integrated Solar Thermal Module and Conventional Components
TIBET YAWEITONG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 西藏亚卫通科技有限公司, 2018
Solar energy-assisted heating air conditioning system that integrates a solar thermal module with conventional air conditioning components. The system comprises a main body casing housing the air conditioning components, with an integrated solar thermal module providing supplemental heat when electricity is not available. The system includes a fan, coil tube, and humidifying module to maintain comfortable indoor conditions.
18. Air Conditioner with Integrated Dual-Pipeline Solar Heating and Cooling System
Zhuhai Gree Electric Appliances Co., Ltd., GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES INC. OF ZHUHAI, 2018
Energy-efficient air conditioner with enhanced solar heating system. The system incorporates a solar water heater that utilizes the heat exchanger's cooling capacity to absorb heat from the solar water heater. The system features two circulation pipelines: one that guides the heat-absorbing water into the solar water heater, and another that directs the heated water to the heat exchanger. This innovative configuration enables the system to maximize energy efficiency by utilizing both the heat exchanger's cooling capacity and the solar water heater's absorption capabilities.
19. Building System with Integrated Solar Heat Collection, Power Generation, and HVAC Components
中建三局第一建设工程有限责任公司, THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING LIMITED COMPANY OF CHINA CONSTRUCTION THIRD BUREAU, 2018
Integrated solar heating, cooling, and power generation system for buildings that utilizes solar energy to provide both heating and cooling functions. The system comprises a solar heat collector, power generation unit, control system, and air handling components. The system integrates solar thermal energy collection with conventional HVAC functions, enabling both heating and cooling through the same system. The system incorporates a power generation unit that harnesses solar energy to provide both heating and cooling, while the control system optimizes performance through advanced temperature management, humidity control, and energy management.
20. Solar Thermal Air Conditioning System with Vacuum Tube-Enhanced Coolant Pre-Heating
UNIVERSITE INTERNATIONALE DE RABAT, 2018
A solar thermal air conditioning system that utilizes vacuum tubes to enhance compressor efficiency. The system incorporates a solar collector with vacuum tubes that transfer heated coolant to a tank above the tubes. This heated coolant is then used to pre-heat the air conditioning fluid before it enters the compressor. By leveraging the vacuum effect in the solar collector, the system reduces the mechanical energy required to compress the fluid, thereby significantly increasing its overall efficiency compared to conventional air conditioning systems.
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