Heat pumps are known for their efficiency and low carbon emissions. However, it’s possible to lower running costs to free and cut carbon emissions entirely if you have a solar panel array connected to a ground source heat pump.
In this guide, we’ll look at what’s involved in combining a GSHP with solar panels, explore the advantages in more detail, and discuss the potential upfront costs of such a setup. Let’s dive in.
What’s Involved in a Ground Source Heat Pump-Solar Panel Setup?
This hybrid setup involves powering a heat pump with electricity generated from a solar array. Solar panels may be used to power the drive fan and compressor of a heat pump in order to meet its electricity needs.
It’s possible to install a ground source heat pump before adding solar panels. However, the opposite approach is also generally viable. Either way, both installations will require a relevant and qualified professional to perform the work in each case.
It’s important that the solar panel array is of sufficient size and capacity to power a ground source heat pump. This must include taking periods of high demand into consideration. Moreover, you’ll want to keep your location in mind as solar panel performance can differ across the UK.
How suitable this hybrid setup will be will depend on your property, too. Sufficient land space is needed for a ground source heat pump, while you’ll want to ensure there’s sufficient roof space for a solar panel array and a sound roof structure.
Your radiators may or may not need replacing, too. This will depend on the number and size of radiators required for a given ground source heat pump installation.
The Benefits of a GSHP-Solar Panel Hybrid Setup
There are a range of advantages of a ground source heat pump-solar panel hybrid setup, not least that you can eliminate your heating bills entirely if the solar array is sufficient to fully power the GSHP.
Another upside to this hybrid setup is that it will eliminate carbon emissions from your home heating, again, assuming that the solar panels installed can fully meet your heat pump electricity needs.
A heat pump can usually result in just a quarter to a third of the carbon emissions of a gas boiler, but with a sufficient solar panel setup, this can result in a total reduction in emissions. This is because electricity from the grid is generally a mix of renewable and non-renewable power.
A ground source heat pump can also make your home heating cosier and more dynamic with less significant fluctuations in indoor temperatures.
Cost Estimates: Ground Source Heat Pump-Solar Panel Setup
The average cost of a ground source heat pump is £15,000 to £45,000, while solar panels cost around £6,000 to £10,000. This brings the average total cost of this hybrid setup to £21,000 to £55,000.
While this is certainly a high upfront cost, the potential exists to reduce your heating bills to free and eliminate carbon emissions from your home heating, along with the other benefits of a GSHP-solar array setup.
What’s more, with government supports such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you can reduce the cost of a heat pump installation. In the case of the BUS, you can cut the cost of a GSHP installation by £7,500.
Overall, a GSHP-solar panel dual installation is an ambitious project. You’ll want to keep the upfront costs in mind, but also weigh up the many advantages of such a hybrid setup, including the running cost savings over time.
