4. Performance Assessment in Different Climates

This chapter analyses performance of solar assisted ground source heat pump system in different climates, drawing suggestions about how to properly configure the system components layout and set operating modes described within Sect. 3.​3. Performance of SAGSHPs are logically influenced by the amount of solar collectors installed. Obviously it is not economically and, in most of the cases, even possible to install large solar thermal collector filed. Indeed, residential buildings, both single family houses and block of flat, have limited space for installing solar collectors. Besides amount of solar collectors, V-GHX depth significantly influences SAGSHP, as for conventional GSHP. In addition to these aspects, how operating modes are set and controlled can enormously affect SAGSHP performance. Figure 4.1 shows SAGSHP performance in terms of COP, SPF and SF of studies regarding cold, temperate and mild climates. Overall Fig. 1 in introduction shows that COP and SPF considerably vary in each climate. This chapter aims to critically review main factors responsible of such large range of performance in cold, temperate and mild climates. In order to set properly complete the analyses, solar assisted ground source heat pump applications for hot climate have been also touched.