Patent Description:
Industry efforts to maximize the use of Solar Energy are a major focus. The sun provides the earth more daily energy than any other source on the planet. However, conventional attempts to harness this energy continue to prove difficult. Two of the largest energy demands are space heating and cooling. However due to the intermittent nature of the sun, use of solar energy in these spaces has been difficult. Heat pump technology provides a unique way to amplify solar energy. A heat pump is a device which is able to take energy at one temperature range and transform that energy to a different temperature range, either higher or lower in temperature. The transformed energy offers a source of energy that could be used to supplement solar collector systems. However, to date, conventional solar thermal collectors are unable to be used directly with one or more heat pumps for both heating and cooking.

<CIT> discloses systems, methods, and apparatuses by which solar energy may be collected to provide energy, heat, or a combination of electricity and heat. <CIT> discloses a panel for utilizing solar energy for roof tiles where heat is transferred from the panel to a fluid and vice versa, one or more solar cells may be on the panel so that the Panel is cooled efficiently during operation while heating energy simultaneously may be utilized. <CIT> teaches a photovoltaic system that includes photovoltaic elements that generate electricity from solar irradiation and feed it into a power grid and/or a battery unit. <CIT> teaches a solar power system for use with solar roofing that uses an absorber system with a solar thermal absorber and a circulation system for circulating absorber liquid through the absorber and a core system which extracts energy from the absorber liquid and provides hot water to a building. <CIT> discloses a hybrid thermal energy system for heating and/or cooling that includes a solar collection means for transferring heat energy to a heat transfer fluid and thermal upgrading means for increasing the thermal energy within the system such as a heat pump and a thermal storage means.

According to the invention there is provided a hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors may be configured to have a portion thereof directly exposed to the environment to efficiently dissipate and/or radiate the thermal energy. The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors may include one or more thermally conductive surfaces. The one or more thermally conductive surfaces may include a top surface directly coupled to the photovoltaic panels. The one or more thermally conductive surfaces may include a bottom surface directly exposed to the environment. The one or more heat pumps may include a source side with a source input port for receiving a flow of fluid from the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors and a source output port for returning a flow of fluid to the supplemental solar energy collectors. The one or more heat pumps may include a load side with a load input port for receiving a flow of fluid from the one or more loads and a load output port for outputting a flow of fluid to the one or more loads. The one or more heat pumps may include a fluid-to- fluid heat pump. The one or more loads may include one or more thermal storage masses. The one or more loads may include one or more of: a storage tank, a swimming pool, a solar thermal storage tank, a heat exchanger storage tank, a hot water tank, a backup boiler, a water heater, a solar glycol loop, a radiant floor and/or ceiling and/or wall loop, a fan coil for space heating and/or cooling, a baseboard loop, a spa, and a hot tub. The system may include a plurality of valves coupled to the one or more solar energy collectors, the one or more heat pumps, and the one or more loads configured to bypass the heat pump at one predetermined condition such that thermal energy in a flow of fluid from the one or more solar energy collectors is directed to heat and/or cool the one or more loads. The plurality of valves may be configured to direct the flow of fluid from the one or more solar energy collectors to a source input port of the heat pump and a flow of fluid from the load to a load input port of the one or more heat pumps at another predetermined condition to amplify the heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads. The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors may be configured to extract thermal energy from the photovoltaic panels and/or extract thermal energy from the environment at one predetermined condition to heat one or more of the one or more loads and/or radiate thermal energy to space and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment to cool another of the one or more loads at a second predetermined condition. The one or more heat pumps may be configured to amplify the heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads. The thermal energy extracted from the one or more solar energy collectors and/or the environment may be stored in one or more of the one or more loads. The one or more heat pumps may be configured to use the stored thermal energy in one or more of the one or more loads to amplify heating and/or cooling of another of the one or more loads. The system may include a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the solar energy collectors, and the one or more loads. The system may include a circulator pump on a return line to the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors configured to drive fluid to one or more of the supplemental solar energy collectors. The system may include a circulator pump on a supply line from the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors configured to draw fluid from the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors. The system may include a controller coupled to the one or more temperature sensors, the plurality of valves, the one or more heat pumps, and the circulator pump configured to control the flow of fluid from the solar energy collectors, the heat pump, and the one or more loads. The system may include a controller coupled to the one or more temperature sensors, the plurality of valves, the one or more heat pumps, and the circulator pump configured to control the flow of fluid from the solar energy collectors, the heat pump, and the one or more loads. The electrical energy needed to operate the heat pump may be configured to be drawn from the photovoltaic panels. The one or more heat pumps may include a first heat pump coupled to an input of a storage tank and a second heat pump coupled to an output of the storage tank.

This invention also provides an integrated, supplemental, solar energy collection and dissipation system with a heat pump. The system includes one or more photovoltaic panels configured to convert incident radiation to electricity. A housing includes a bottom surface made of a thermally conductive material mated to the photovoltaic panel, and one or more channels having a flow of fluid therein between the photovoltaic panel and the bottom configured to collect thermal energy from the one or more photovoltaic panels, radiate thermal energy to space, collect thermal energy from the environment and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment to heat and/or cool one or more loads. One or more heat pumps coupled to the housing are configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the load.

In another embodiment, the system may include a gasket between the bottom and each of the one or more photovoltaic panels configured to define the one or more channels. The bottom surface may be made of a highly thermally conductive material.

Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. If only one embodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limited to that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be read restrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifesting a certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer.

As will be discussed in further detail below, the hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiments of this invention provides a solution to the problem of using heat pumps with conventional solar collectors. The hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiment of this invention can integrate a conventional heat pump with one or more supplemental solar energy collectors, e.g., as disclosed in <CIT>, now <CIT> (the '<NUM> Patent), by the inventor hereof, and owned by SunDrum Solar, LLC to provide both heating and cooling. Heat pumps can be integrated with such supplemental solar energy collectors because they are an uninsulated thermal collector designed to "wick" the thermal energy away from the rear side of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors as disclosed herein and in the '<NUM> patent act as a heat exchanger attached to a PV panel and are capable of both dissipating thermal energy to the atmosphere and collecting thermal energy. The unique method of collecting energy from the supplemental solar collectors is described in detail in the '<NUM> patent.

Graph <NUM>, <FIG>, for a solar energy collector temperature and graph <NUM> for the ambient air temperature for the nighttime of August <NUM>, <NUM> demonstrate how much cooler a solar energy collector is when compared to the outside air temperature. Because PV panels are typically facing outer space, they benefit from radiating energy to space ("spatial cooling"). This can result in reducing the collector panel temperature significantly below the ambient air temperature. On cloudless evenings/nights, PVs may reach colder temperatures than ambient air thus providing additional capability to dissipate heat. This ability to re-radiate heat can be further enhanced by using water source heat pumps to amplify the heat dissipation.

By passing hot or warm fluid through one or more supplemental solar energy collectors, the collectors will dissipate its thermal energy to space. This type of system functions similar to an evaporative cooling tower at significantly lower power and water requirements. Spatial cooling, or nocturnal reradiating to space, which requires little to no power, replaces a cooling tower's evaporation. The high power fan typically used in cooling towers is also eliminated. The water or glycol/water circulation loop has similar power consumption requirements between the two systems.

For simple residential applications, the heat rejection discussed above can be used by providing a fluid loop from the solar array to a fan coil which in turn cools the air in the residential spaces (liquid to air). The ability of the system to cool is greater than an attic/whole house fan alone since it achieves below ambient temperatures where an attic/whole house fan can only cool to ambient. Such a system can also provide thermal (heating) energy during the sunlight hours when heating is desired.

For use in typically commercial applications, the ability to dissipate thermal energy can be amplified with a heat pump. There are at least two methods by which dissipated thermal energy can be amplified with a heat pump.

Light cooling load: Using a storage tank (or "reservoir") to directly provide chilled water. In this example, the heat pump is used to amplify the temperatures to be dissipated to the atmosphere and bring the temperature of the water storage reservoir down, e.g., to about <NUM> (<NUM>° F), or similar low temperature, each evening/night for next day use. Cooling is not limited to evening or night hours but by environmental conditions described in the algorithm section discussed in detail below.

Heavy cooling load: In this example, an additional heat pump may be added to deliver air conditioning or chilled water to the customer load.

In both of the examples above, the output of the heat pump is amplification of the BTU capacity in the storage reservoir.

All of the systems discussed above can be reversed to provide space heating in addition to their use for space cooling. When in heating mode, the systems are also able to deliver heating year round and shift to cooling when desired. This shift can be instantaneous or seasonal depending on the intelligent control method of implementation.

Graph <NUM>, <FIG>, shows an example of the daily temperature fluctuations for collector temperature <NUM> and ambient air temperature <NUM> from August through October <NUM> in Boston, Massachusetts. One or more embodiments of hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of this invention can provide heating of one or more loads, such as domestic hot water, a pool, a spa, and the like, during sunlight during the cooling season (e.g., in August). Then, when conditions allow, the hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiment of this invention can shift over to dissipating thermal energy to space and either directly cool the load or cool down a storage tank for daytime use, as will be discussed in detail below.

In New England geography, or similar type geography, the night time temperatures with spatial cooling typically fall only into the <NUM> (<NUM>° F) range. A residential application utility of hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiment of this invention would still be better than an attic fan (whole house fan) to cool down the house at night and rely on the house's thermal mass to keep the house comfortable during the day. Alternatively, the system cooling function can be viewed as reducing the daily air conditioning electrical load for the owner while the electric portion of the hybrid solar array powers the air conditioner.

The hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiments of this invention has the capability to increase solar radiant energy contribution to include hot water heating, space heating and cooling. The increased energy contribution means an increased cost savings.

For a commercial or large residential application, the addition of a heat pump to solar collectors as disclosed in one or more embodiments of the hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps of this invention can amplify the system's effectiveness.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>, <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps of one embodiment of this invention includes one or more commercially available photovoltaic panels, exemplarily indicated at <NUM>, configured to convert incident radiation to electricity.

System <NUM> also includes one or more supplemental solar energy collectors, exemplarily indicated at <NUM>, selectively coupled to the one or more photovoltaic panels <NUM>. The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> have a flow of fluid therein, e.g., from supply line <NUM> and return line <NUM>, and are configured to collect thermal energy from one or more photovoltaic panels <NUM>, radiate thermal energy to space <NUM> collect thermal energy from the environment <NUM> and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment <NUM> to heat or cool one or more loads.

<FIG>, where like parts include like numbers, shows in further detail one example of a supplemental solar energy collector <NUM> coupled to commercially available photovoltaic panels <NUM> which may be used by system <NUM>. In this example supplemental solar energy collector <NUM> may include channels <NUM> which may be formed by plates or gaskets <NUM>. Channels <NUM> preferably have flow of fluid <NUM> therein. Further details of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> are disclosed in the `<NUM> patent cited supra. Other equivalent supplemental solar energy collectors may be used as known by those skilled in the art.

The one more loads disclosed herein preferably include a thermal storage mass capable of storing thermal energy. In this example, the one or more loads may be storage tank <NUM>, <FIG>, or output load <NUM> from storage tank <NUM>. In other examples, the one or more loads may include one or more of: a storage tank, a swimming pool, a solar thermal storage tank, a heat exchanger storage tank, a hot water tank, a backup boiler, a water heater, a solar glycol loop, a radiant floor and/or ceiling and/or wall loop, a fan coil for space heating and/or cooling, a baseboard loop, spa, and a hot tub, as discussed in further detail below with respect to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The one or more commercially available photovoltaic panels <NUM> and one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> may be configured as array <NUM> as shown (available from SunDrum Solar LLC, Northborough, MA, Part No. SDM100-<NUM>). In this example, array <NUM> includes <NUM> SDM100-<NUM> in <NUM> strings of three as shown. Other equivalent solar collectors may be used that function similarly.

One or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> may be configured to have a portion thereof directly exposed to the environment to efficiently dissipate and/or radiate thermal energy. For example, supplemental solar energy collector <NUM>, <FIG>, shows one example of an exemplary supplemental solar collector <NUM> with bottom surface <NUM> directly exposed to environment <NUM> to efficiently dissipate and/or radiate thermal energy. Preferably, the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> include one or more thermally conductive surfaces, such as top surface <NUM> or bottom surface <NUM>. The thermally conductive surfaces are preferably made of a highly thermally conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, tungsten, brass, gold, silver, related alloys, a thermally conductive polymer, a thermally conductive resin, and the like.

System <NUM>, <FIG>, also includes one or more heat pumps <NUM> coupled to one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and the one or more loads as shown configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads. In one design, one or more heat pumps <NUM> is preferably a reversible fluid-to-fluid heat pump capable or heating or cooling, such as a NDW100 (WaterFurnace International, Inc. , Fort Wayne, IN <NUM>). Cooling is the transfer of thermal energy resulting in a drop in temperature of one desired fluid and the transfer of the energy to another. Heating is the transfer of energy resulting in an increase in temperature. For example, in cooling operation, fluid is received at input port <NUM> of one or more heat pumps <NUM> at one temperature, e.g., for exemplary purposes only, at about <NUM> (<NUM>° F). One or more heat pumps <NUM> extract energy for transfer to source side <NUM> by returning the fluid to load port <NUM> at <NUM> (<NUM>° F). This energy is transferred to source side <NUM> by receiving fluid at source port <NUM> at a temperature of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) outputting the fluid to source output port <NUM> at a, temperature greater than15. <NUM>° (<NUM>° F). The temperature increase will include a large portion of the electrical energy needed to operate the heat pump. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> will then dissipate this energy to keep the return fluid in line <NUM> at <NUM> (<NUM>° F). The reverse process is done to provide heating.

One or more heat pumps <NUM> preferably includes source side <NUM> with input port <NUM> coupled to supply line <NUM> from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and output port <NUM> coupled to pump station <NUM> with circulator pump <NUM>. In this example, circulator pump <NUM> is preferably coupled to return line <NUM> coupled to one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and drives fluid by line <NUM> (shown by arrow <NUM>) to one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> as shown. One or more heat pumps <NUM> also preferably includes load side <NUM> with input port <NUM> coupled to the one our more loads (in this example storage tank <NUM>) and output port coupled <NUM> coupled to one or more loads.

System <NUM> also preferably includes controller <NUM> coupled to temperature sensor <NUM> located in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and temperature sensor <NUM> in storage tank <NUM> as shown.

In one exemplary operation of hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps <NUM>, <FIG>, the nightly cooling capability would be approximately <NUM> tons an hour. For each <NUM> gallons of storage, approximately <NUM> AC tons capacity can be generated by one or more heat pumps <NUM> and stored for daytime use. This example assumes the load, e.g., storage tank <NUM>, is dropped to about <NUM> (<NUM>° F) with a desired room temperature target of <NUM>° (<NUM>° F). The exemplary use of thermal storage by one or more heat pumps <NUM> would function similar to ice storage coolers, but at much lower energy cost. Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps <NUM> may be designed such that it incorporates one or more loads e.g., a thermal storage mass, such as storage tank <NUM> or equivalents thereof discussed in further detail below, capable of storing energy through a phase change from liquid to solid. This example preferably uses a fluid that does not freeze below <NUM> (<NUM>° F). If storing additional energy through phase change of liquid to solid storage is desired, a thermal storage mass, such as storage tank <NUM> with heat exchange would require the structural capability to handle phase change stresses.

In the example shown in <FIG>, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps <NUM> is used for only cooling or only heating. A typical cooling application for system <NUM> may be a data storage center, or similar type environment, that does not require any heating. In this example, when conditions allow, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps <NUM> cools the one or more loads, e.g., storage tank <NUM>, for use with the air conditioning system of a building or similar type uses. When the one or more loads are active, e.g., load output <NUM> from storage tank <NUM> and system <NUM> is enabled, system <NUM> provides direct supplement cooling. When load <NUM> is inactive, cooling energy is stored in storage tank <NUM>. Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps <NUM> can be adjusted for heating or cooling during different seasons or environmental conditions.

For large commercial applications, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>', <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> includes second heat pump <NUM> with source side <NUM> having source input port <NUM> and source output port <NUM> coupled to one or more loads, e.g. storage tank <NUM> and load side <NUM> coupled to load <NUM> as shown. System <NUM>' also includes second controller <NUM> coupled to temperature sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, circulator <NUM>, and heat pump <NUM> as shown.

One or more heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> typically produce financial savings when they operate with coefficient of performance (COP) greater than the value of electricity/value of thermal energy. For example, assume that the economic "balance point" is at a COP of <NUM> where the electricity is a <NUM> times more valuable than thermal energy. This is not unusual because some steam engines/turbines operate at approximately <NUM>% efficiency or require three units of thermal energy to produce one unit of electrical energy. When one or more heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> operate below this economic balance point, COP alternate fuels can be more economical. In operation, the source fluid into the input port of the source side of one or more heat pumps <NUM>, <NUM> cannot exceed a specific temperature. For example, the Waterfurnace NDW100 heat pump (WaterFurnace International, Inc. , Fort Wayne, IN <NUM>) does not recommend operation with source temperatures above <NUM> (<NUM>° F). This is why heat pumps <NUM> and/<NUM> have not yet been matched with conventional glazed or evacuated tube solar collectors. However, one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>, <FIG>, discussed in detail above do not achieve the high temperatures typical of conventional solar thermal collectors. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> also have the benefit of direct thermal contact with the environment, e.g. bottom surface <NUM>, <FIG> directly exposed to environment <NUM>. A typical conventional glazed solar collector system has its absorber surface inside an insulated box or evacuated tube and thus is a poor radiator of thermal energy back to the environment. Another conventional solar collector system uses an evacuated tube system in a vacuum which is an even worse radiator of thermal energy. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> of hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps of one or more embodiments of this invention has the unusual thermal characteristic of being directly exposed to the environment that complements pairing well with heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> by being able to both efficiently absorb and dissipate thermal energy. This characteristic is an important modeling coefficient to determine the performance of a solar thermal collector called FrUc, also referred to as Slope. The Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) is a recognized third party organization that reviews and published the FrUc coefficient with their OG100 certifications. The higher in magnitude the FrUc coefficient the greater the collectors ability to dissipate energy to the atmosphere. An example glazed conventional collector TitanPower-ALDH29 SRCC OG100 (SunMaxx Solar LLC, Conklin, NY <NUM>), certification # <NUM>, has a FrUc coefficient = -<NUM> W/ m<NUM>-°C. An example of a conventional evacuated tube collector ThermoPower-VHP10 (SunMaxx Solar LLC, Conklin, NY <NUM>), certification # 2006011B, has a FrUc coefficient = -<NUM> W/ m<NUM>-°C. In contrast, one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>, e.g. Solar SDM100 collector, discussed above, certification # 2007044A, has a FrUc coefficient equal to about -<NUM> W/ m<NUM>-°C. The larger in magnitude the coefficient the greater the collectors ability to dissipate energy. Thus, one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> of system <NUM> has much better capability of radiating thermal energy over conventional thermal collectors.

For those cases where the COP is less than economically viable or in a predetermined condition, such as when the temperature of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and commercially available photovoltaic panels <NUM> preferably configured as array <NUM> exceed the operating condition, e.g., (when the sun is delivering enough energy to heat the module above <NUM> (<NUM>° F)) hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>", <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> of another embodiment of this invention can bypass one or more heat pumps <NUM> and directly heat the one or more loads, such as storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>.

On the other hand, in another predetermined condition, e.g., when the weather conditions are cloudy or even during evening periods after the sun has set, system <NUM>" can activate one or more heat pumps <NUM> to provide for continued heat collection as long as acceptable conditions allow.

In one embodiment, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>", <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> preferably includes a plurality of valves, e.g., three way values <NUM>, <NUM> coupled one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>, one or more heat pumps <NUM>, and the one or more loads, e.g., storage tank <NUM> as shown, configured to bypass heat pump <NUM> at one predetermined condition, e.g., during preferred solar conditions such that thermal energy in a flow of fluid from the one or more solar energy collectors <NUM> by supply line <NUM> is directed to heat and/or cool the one or more loads, e.g., storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>, or additional loads using line <NUM> and a plurality of valves <NUM>, as will be discussed in further detail below.

The plurality of valves, e.g. valves <NUM>, <NUM> also preferably configured to direct the flow of fluid from one or more solar energy collectors <NUM> by supply line <NUM> to source input port <NUM> of one or more heat pump <NUM> and a flow of fluid from the one or more load, e.g., storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM> to load input port <NUM> of one or more heat pumps <NUM> at another predetermined condition, e.g., when COP is above a predetermined level, to amplify the heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads.

For example, system <NUM>" may include three-way valve <NUM> which may be coupled to supply line <NUM>, source input port <NUM>, output of circulator <NUM> feeding the one or more loads, e.g. storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>. System <NUM>" may also include three-way valve <NUM> coupled between load input port <NUM>, heat pump output port <NUM>, and storage tank <NUM> as shown. Three-way valves <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably connected to controller <NUM>. In this design, when solar conditions allow, the efficiency of system <NUM>" can be enhanced by intelligently controlling the flow of thermal energy in the fluid in supply line <NUM> from one or more supplemental solar collectors <NUM> directly to storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM> by bypassing one or more heat pumps <NUM> with controller <NUM>, temperature sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and three-way valves <NUM>, <NUM>. Then, when COP is above a predetermined level, e.g., about <NUM>, controller <NUM> activates three-way valves <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the fluid in supply line <NUM> is fed to source input port <NUM> of one or more heat pumps <NUM> and fluid from storage tank <NUM> is fed into load input port <NUM> of one or more heat pumps <NUM> and one or more heat pumps <NUM> is utilized as discussed above. Controller <NUM> will shut down hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal system <NUM>" when inadequate energy is available for an acceptable financial return.

In one design, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>", <FIG>, preferably includes two heat pumps, e.g., heat pumps <NUM>, <NUM> as discussed above with reference to <FIG>. Similarly, heat pump <NUM> includes source side <NUM> having input port <NUM> and output port <NUM> coupled to storage tank <NUM> and load side <NUM> coupled to load <NUM> as shown. System <NUM>" also preferably includes and second controller <NUM> coupled to temperature sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, circulator <NUM>, and heat pump <NUM>. Depending upon which controller <NUM>, <NUM> is selected, controllers <NUM>, <NUM> can be combined into one and eliminate redundant sensors. For example, one controller for entire system <NUM>" could rely upon sensor <NUM> only and eliminate sensor <NUM> to determine storage temperature.

In addition, the nominal COP of <NUM> may not be optimum in different geographies and with different utility rates and local incentives. System <NUM>" with one or more heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> is flexible enough to set the acceptable COP higher or lower as financial conditions mandate, as will be discussed in the examples below.

The COP of one or more heat pumps <NUM> can vary by brand, compressor design, and phase change fluid. However, the relative performance of a heat pump is a function of load temperature versus the source temperature. By implementing an algorithm that models this performance along with desired target, controller <NUM> of one more embodiments of this invention can calculate temperature decisions to provide the most energy with heat pump assistance, direct solar, or shut both down due to inadequate/non-advantageous conditions as discussed below.

For example, in the case of space heating, assume a desired target temperature of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) to load <NUM>, <FIG>, and heat pump <NUM> is capable of delivering a COP of <NUM> or greater when source fluid temperature Ta-<NUM> in line <NUM> is greater than <NUM> (<NUM>° F) but less than <NUM> (<NUM>° F). As the sun rises in the morning, temperature sensor <NUM> in storage tank <NUM> detects the target temperature of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) has not been achieved and the source fluid temperature Ta-<NUM> in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> is about <NUM> (<NUM>° F). Controller <NUM> controls three-way valve <NUM> to direct fluid from line supply <NUM> to input port <NUM>, three-way valve <NUM> to direct fluid from storage tank <NUM> to load input port <NUM> and engages heat pump <NUM>, circulator <NUM> and solar source array pump <NUM>. In this example, as the sun continues to rise, the solar array fluid temperature Ta-<NUM> is detected to reach <NUM> (<NUM>° F). At this point, controller <NUM> uses an algorithm (discussed below) to direct heat pump <NUM> and circulator <NUM> to shut down and engage three way valves <NUM>, <NUM>, to bypass heat pump <NUM> while maintaining power to pump station <NUM>. This causes the heated fluid in supply line <NUM> from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> to be sent to storage tank <NUM> by line <NUM> to directly contribute to load <NUM>. As the sun drops in the afternoon and temperature Ta-<NUM> drops below <NUM> (<NUM>° F), controller <NUM> disengages three-way valves <NUM> and <NUM>, engages heat pump <NUM>, circulator <NUM>, and pump station <NUM>. This causes the fluid in supply line <NUM> to be directed to source input port <NUM> of heat pump <NUM>. Heat pump <NUM> then operates as discussed above until the lower threshold is reached, where the heating system would shut off until acceptable conditions allow.

For example, when system <NUM>", <FIG>, is providing cooling, assume a set a desired temperature of <NUM>° (<NUM>° F) for the one or more loads, e.g., in this example, storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>, <FIG>, or load <NUM>, <FIG>. Heat pump <NUM> and/or heat pump <NUM> is capable of delivering a COP of <NUM> Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) equal to about <NUM> or greater when the source fluid is <NUM> to -<NUM> (<NUM>° F to <NUM>° F). As the sun rises in the morning, or in low sunlight conditions, sensor Ta-<NUM> detects when the source fluid in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> is above <NUM> (<NUM>° F) and controller <NUM> directs the fluid in supply line <NUM> directly to the one or more loads, e.g., a thermal storage mass, such as storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>, swimming pool <NUM>, spa <NUM> , hot water tank or heater <NUM>, backup boiler <NUM>, radiant floor/ceiling/wall loop <NUM>, fan coil <NUM> for space heating and/or cooling, baseboard loop <NUM>, spa hot tub <NUM>, solar thermal storage tank <NUM>, heat exchanger storage tank <NUM>, solar glycol loop <NUM>, or similar type devices. Loads <NUM>-<NUM> may be directly heated by line <NUM> coupled to line <NUM> or heated by load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>. One example, system <NUM>", <FIG> and <FIG>, includes a plurality of valves <NUM> as shown configured to direct the source fluid in supply line <NUM> to loads <NUM>-<NUM> and back to line <NUM> in a loop indicated by arrows <NUM>. Such a loop may be referred to as a solar glycol loop <NUM> when the source fluid includes glycol therein. Any of loads <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may absorb or dissipate thermal energy. Any of loads <NUM>-<NUM> may also have temperature sensor <NUM> therein which may be coupled to controller <NUM>.

As conditions allow and the temperature of source fluid in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> drops below32. <NUM> ( <NUM>° F), controller <NUM> shifts the fluid to one or more heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> as discussed above and heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> are engaged to provide cooling. During the evening/night time or low light conditions operation, the source fluid in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> can achieve temperatures below ambient to provide greater cooling efficiencies than many air source heat pumps (traditional air conditioning units) that are limited to ambient air temperature.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>‴, <FIG> and <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> and/or <NUM> of another embodiment provides a simplification of hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal heat pump system <NUM>" shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this embodiment, system <NUM>‴, <FIG>, eliminates three-way valve <NUM>, <FIG> as shown and the control logic and plumbing are simplified. However, the elimination three-way valve <NUM> may affect array pressure. For cases where this is not acceptable, three-way valve <NUM>, <FIG> may be preferred.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>IV, <FIG> with one or more heat pumps <NUM> of another embodiment of this invention may be utilized where heating and cooling loads are always present. In this embodiment, system <NUM>IV includes second storage tank <NUM> with temperature sensor <NUM> coupled to controller <NUM> and three-way valve <NUM> coupled between output of circulator <NUM>, line <NUM>, and storage tank <NUM> and second storage tank <NUM> with load output <NUM> as shown. For pressure sensitive implementations, three-way valve <NUM>, <FIG> may be utilized.

One exemplary implementation hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal heat pump system <NUM>IV, <FIG>, may be a fitness center which needs to heat a pool when possible or to provide de-humidification. In this case, in one predetermined condition, e.g., when sunlight is available, system <NUM>IV is in heating mode as discussed above and contributes the thermal energy directly to storage tank <NUM> and load <NUM>. In another predetermined condition, e.g., in the evening when the sun is not available, system <NUM>IV can shift to cooling mode and contribute energy directly to storage tank <NUM> or load output <NUM> of storage tank <NUM>. Storage tank <NUM> could be a swimming pool itself, in which case it becomes load <NUM>. Both storage tanks <NUM>, <NUM> would preferably allow their class of energy to be contributed when direct contribution is not possible or preferred. Similarly as discussed above, controller system <NUM> is coupled to temperature sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, pump station <NUM>, circulator <NUM>, three-way valve <NUM>, and one or more heat pumps <NUM> and is capable of prioritizing which type of energy collection mode has priority over the other when conditions could allow for both. Modifications of this design can include directly servicing the load without a storage tank or adding heat pumps on the load side of storage tank <NUM> and/or <NUM> to amplify thermal energy.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>IV with one or more heat pumps <NUM> also preferably includes circulator pump <NUM> on a supply line <NUM> from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> configured to draw fluid from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>. Such a location of circulator pump on supply line <NUM> may also be used by system <NUM> shown in one or more of <FIG>. This location preferably minimizes the amount of pressure exerted on one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> to preferably extend its reliability. Typical implementations are on the return side to allow the coolest fluid to pass through the pump. However since this technology is capable of both heating and cooling, the location of the pump station on the supply side is possible.

For enablement purposes only, the following code portion is provided which can be executed by controller <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> shown in one or more of <FIG> to carry out the primary steps and/or functions of the system <NUM> discussed above and recited in the claims hereof. Other equivalent algorithms and code can be designed by a software engineer and/or programmer skilled in the art using the information provided therein:.

For system <NUM>, <FIG> in heating mode:
Pump Station <NUM>, circulator <NUM> and one or more heat pumps <NUM> are on if:
Thp-min < Ta; (Ts -Tcoph-max) < Ta; Ta + Ts < Thp-max1; and Ta, Ts < Thp-max are true.

Tcoph-max is a function of the heat design of pump <NUM>. For example this might be <NUM> (<NUM>° F) to attain a COP of <NUM> or better. In other words, if storage tank <NUM> is <NUM> (<NUM>° F) hotter than the temperature of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>, one or more heat pumps <NUM> requires more electricity and drops to less than COP of <NUM> to continue delivering thermal energy.

Thp-min is determined by the manufacturer specification for example, could be set to -<NUM> (<NUM>° F) if a fluid used is able to maintain the specified flow rate at this temperature and the phase change fluids freeze point is below this temperature. If water was used the Thp-min would be typically set to <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>° F).

Thp-max1 is also a function of heat pump design setting the combined temperature limit before the unit will over heat. In this example we will consider it to be set at <NUM> (<NUM>° F).

Thp-max is the individual compressor temperature limit set by the manufacturer. In this example we will use <NUM> (<NUM>° F).

The examples above are using constants. However, the manufacture can set them as dependent variables, in which case the constant would be replaced by the manufacturer's specification.

For System <NUM>, <FIG>, in cooling mode:
Pump station <NUM>, circulator <NUM>, and one or more heat pumps <NUM> are on if:
Thp-min< Ta < (Ts +Tcopc-max), Ta + Ts < Thp-max1, and Ts < Thpc-max, are true.

In this case for a desired COP of <NUM> or energy efficiency ratio (EER) of <NUM> (EER = COP x <NUM>) a typical manufacturer's specification requires a Tcopc-max of <NUM>. If a COP of <NUM> was acceptable for cooling Tcopc-max of <NUM>°F might be acceptable. When one or more heat pumps <NUM> is used to amplify the energy in the storage tank <NUM> on the load side, the same algorithms are used except Ta is replaced with Ts and Ts with Tl.

A maximum Ta of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) and a combined maximum temperature for Ta + Ts of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) could be produced by <NUM> (<NUM>° F) each for Ta and Ts ( <NUM> + <NUM> =<NUM>) or any other such combination to the limit. There could be cases where an installation is desired to provide heating and will frequently exceed these conditions. For example, three-way valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <FIG>, can be added. Three way valves are preferably actuated into bypass mode if the heating algorithm is untrue and, Ta > Ts + Tdh-on.

An example would be Tdh-on of <NUM> (<NUM>° F) where if one or more heat pumps <NUM> limits prevent unit operation and Ta is <NUM> (<NUM>° F) hotter than Ts the three way valves would actuate and pump station <NUM> would turn on. This is a unique feature where system <NUM>, shown in one or more of <FIG>, is able to maximize the total availability of solar energy. One or more heat pumps <NUM> can be used to amplify solar energy in poor light conditions when the array is typically between -<NUM> (<NUM>° F) and approximately <NUM> (<NUM>° F). Once the available insolation exceeds the maximum allowable array temperature threshold condition of one or more heat pumps <NUM> the unit is shut down. But if the suns energy allows Ta to exceed the storage temperature one or more heat pumps <NUM> loop is bypassed and energy continues to be collected directly to storage or load.

This feature allows system <NUM> to collect thermal energy over a much longer period of time each day than traditional solar systems and even allows collection of latent solar energy in the atmosphere on overcast days and even at night when direct sunlight is not available. Since system <NUM> is hybrid solar it also generates electrical energy, with the result that all forms of energy delivered can be from renewable sources.

One exemplary use of system <NUM> would be a hotel where early in the morning its guests take showers consuming available solar storage dropping the temperature of storage tank <NUM> down to about <NUM> (<NUM>° F). As soon as the ambient temperature is greater than -<NUM> (<NUM>° F) one or more heat pumps <NUM> will amplify solar energy stored in the atmosphere and start heating the tank <NUM>. For example, suppose the temperature is raised to <NUM> (<NUM>° F) before the sun reaches high enough in the sky to achieve <NUM> (<NUM>° F), e.g., about <NUM> a. At this point system <NUM>", <FIG>, shuts down one or more heat pumps <NUM> and actuates the three-way valves <NUM>, <NUM> to direct delivery of thermal energy to tank <NUM>. In this example, from <NUM> a. to about <NUM> p. direct solar energy is able to heat storage tank <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM>° F) and one or more heat pumps <NUM> is shut down since the sun is again in decline and Ta+Ts > <NUM>. By <NUM>:<NUM> guests return and start consuming hot water. By <NUM> p. the temperature in storage tank <NUM> has dropped to about <NUM> (<NUM>° F) and array temperature in one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> in array <NUM> is about <NUM> (<NUM>° F). Controller <NUM> will then engage one or more heat pumps <NUM> to allow the solar energy stored in the atmosphere to contribute thermal energy to the hotel. This feature can significantly extend the amount of time solar array/system <NUM>" is able to contribute. It also improves the financial performance of system in more challenging climates like most U. northern states.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>IV, <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> where both heating and cooling are required preferably includes additional three-way valve <NUM> as discussed above. Three-way valve <NUM> is preferably positioned such that the un-actuated position is for the heating system. The intelligent control produced by controller <NUM> prioritizes either cooling or heating mode for the occasions that both can be provided by the system. Three-way valve <NUM> would then be actuated when the control system determines that cooling is required and available.

One example of the use of system <NUM>IV may be a corporate campus with data center. A corporate campus typically has a high domestic hot water load while the data center needs twenty four hours cooling every day due to the restricted temperature conditions for servers to operate correctly. To maximize the energy value of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>, in this embodiment, controller <NUM> provides intelligent control which may be programmed to deliver heating energy when Ta > Ts, and shift over to direct heating when Ta + Ts ><NUM> and Ta > Ts + Tdh-on then back to one or more heat pumps <NUM> amplification when conditions allow. However once Ta < Ts, one or more heat pumps <NUM> reverses to cooling mode and three-way valve <NUM> shifts to tank <NUM>, which may be used to provide air conditioning to the data center. The owner can control the prioritization of cooling versus heating by defining what point cooling is engaged. If cooling is prioritized, then the switch over point may be defined as Ta < (Ts +Tcopc-max). In some cases with cooling mode, the owner may want to shift to direct cooling. For example when Ta < (Ts - Tdc), the owner could save on heat pump power if the fluid temperature of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> was cooler than the storage temperature. In this case, Tdc could be defined as -<NUM> (<NUM>° F). Thus, if the temperature of array fluid at sensor <NUM> is <NUM> (<NUM>° F) while the temperature in storage tank <NUM> is <NUM>° F, direct cooling would be provided. Since array <NUM> is able to provide useful energy potentially throughout the day on demand, array <NUM> can provide the greatest financial return.

The balance of energy needs can determine how to maximize the advantages of the hybrid solar array and heat pump technology. For example, assume an energy profile where cooling load significantly exceeds heating load.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>V, <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps of another embodiment of this invention shows one example of how the one or more heat pumps <NUM> can be configured to transfer the thermal energy from one or more loads to a different load of the one or more loads, e.g., cooling tank <NUM> into the heating tank <NUM>. Tanks <NUM> and <NUM> may be reversed to heating and cooling respectively to maximize heating capability of the system.

For example, the thermal portion of the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> may be engaged via valve <NUM> when conditions were optimum to dissipate the energy in storage tank <NUM> through the hybrid array rather than storage tank <NUM>. The thermal portion of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> can also be engaged during sunlight hours to heat storage tank <NUM> directly if the heat pump was disengaged. An example of this would be during very cold seasons when cooling load is minimal and more heating energy is required. An example of this profile would be a dairy farm or data storage center.

Hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>VI , <FIG>, with one or more heat pumps <NUM> of another embodiment of this invention includes one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> which are preferably configured to extract thermal energy from photovoltaic panels <NUM> and/or extract thermal energy from environment <NUM> at one predetermined condition to heat one or more of the loads, e.g. a thermal storage mass, such as heat exchanger <NUM>, hot water heater <NUM>, heat exchanger back-up boiler <NUM>, heat exchanger solar storage tank <NUM>, solar glycol loop <NUM> with swimming pool <NUM>, base board loop <NUM>, lift loop <NUM>, storage tank <NUM>, or storage tank <NUM> and/or radiate thermal energy to space and/or dissipate thermal energy to environment <NUM> to cool another of the one or more loads, e.g. a different load of loads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> at a second predetermined condition. Loads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> preferably absorb or dissipate thermal energy. One or more heat pumps <NUM> are similarly configured to amplify the heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads.

Preferably, the thermal energy extracted from one or more solar energy collectors <NUM> and/or the environment <NUM> is stored in one or more of the one or more loads <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

One or more heat pumps <NUM> are preferably configured to use the stored thermal energy in one or more of the one or more loads to amplify heating and/or cooling of another of the one or more loads.

For example, hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM>VI with one or more heat pumps includes many loads. In one example, thermal energy in tank <NUM> may be transferred to pool <NUM> via heat pump <NUM> to provide cooling to the home and heat the pool at the same time. In this way the system energy in one or more loads is transferred to another of the one or more loads. System <NUM>VI also includes one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> coupled to selected photovoltaic panels <NUM> and preferably configured as array <NUM> as discussed above. System <NUM>VI also includes one or more heat pumps <NUM>, in this example, a water-to-water reversible heat pump with de-superheating, heat exchanger <NUM>, heat exchanger solar storage tank <NUM>, back-up boiler <NUM>, water heater <NUM>, solar glycol loop <NUM>, base board loop <NUM>, lift loop <NUM>, and multiple three-way valves e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

System <NUM>VI allows for automatic control for the multiple system functions, including but not limited to, domestic water preheating via direct solar collection from array <NUM>, domestic hot water preheating source one or more heat pumps <NUM> system de-superheating loop whenever one or more heat pumps <NUM> is running, day or night, solar space/storage tank heating, solar space/storage tank cooling, swimming pool heating from summer solar storage cooling waste heat recovery, solar storage cooling with waste heat rejection via direct night sky reradiating to space, solar storage cooling with nocturnal waste heat rejection to roof collectors and cooling tower.

For example during one predetermined condition, e.g., a heating period, thermal energy from the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> can be used to supply space heating to storage tank <NUM> via three-way valve <NUM> is in a bypass mode, use heat pump assist <NUM> with space heating when three-way valve <NUM> is in heat pump mode, or heating pool <NUM> by engaging valve <NUM> with related pool heating mode, when excess energy is available.

Then, when it is beneficial, the stored energy in pool <NUM> can be used heat or cool another load, e.g., to supply space heating rather than one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> by engaging valve <NUM>. This may occur on very cold evenings when the sun is not available and the temperature of the pool water is higher than the collectors and the heat pump could provide heating at greater COP's than the collectors.

Conversely during another predetermined condition, e.g., a cooling period at night, thermal energy can be dissipated to space through one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> and heat pump <NUM> is used to assist dissipating thermal energy to space through one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> when desired , e.g., peak sunlight hours, the thermal energy can be dissipated to the pool <NUM> by engaging valve <NUM> and bypassing one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>. This would provide the dual benefit of air conditioning (space cooling) and pool heating. If the pool temperature is raised more than desired at night the pool can be cooled down by dissipating additional energy through the collectors.

The example discussed above is just one example where system <NUM>VI can not only absorb or dissipate thermal energy to or from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> to one or more loads, but also transfer thermal energy to or from the one or more loads in either direction. When load to load thermal transfer is used at some other time period one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> may be used to balance the thermal energy. For example if the one or more loads, in this example pool <NUM>, is used for heating the absorbed thermal energy will later be replaced with energy from one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>. In another example, when pool <NUM> is being used as a heat dump or thermal storage mass for cooling and exceeds desired temperatures at some other time the excess thermal energy can be dissipated through the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM>. In this example, pool <NUM> is used as a load. Any thermal storage mass can be used in this way in conjunction with the collectors using one or more heat pump <NUM> to amplify transfer or alternately use direct piping. In this way any load in system <NUM>VI can also be a source at another time.

Although as discussed above with reference to one or more of <FIG>, system <NUM> includes one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> which are selectively coupled to one or more photovoltaic panels <NUM>, this is not a necessary limitation of this invention. In another embodiment, system <NUM>VII, <FIG>, includes one or more photovoltaic panels, e.g., photovoltaic panel <NUM> that includes housing <NUM>. Housing <NUM> includes bottom surface <NUM> made of a thermally conductive material and is mated to photovoltaic panel <NUM>. Housing <NUM> also includes channels <NUM>, <FIG>, having a flow of fluid therein, indicated at <NUM>, between photovoltaic panel <NUM> and bottom surface <NUM> configured to collect thermal energy from photovoltaic panel <NUM>, radiate thermal energy to space <NUM>, collect thermal energy from environment <NUM>, and/or dissipate thermal energy to environment <NUM> to heat and/or cool one or more loads <NUM>. System <NUM>VII, <FIG>, also includes one or more heat pumps <NUM>, similar as discussed above with reference to one or more of <FIG>, coupled to housing <NUM> configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads <NUM>. Thus, in this example, channels <NUM>, <FIG>, are integrated with photovoltaic panel <NUM>, <FIG>, itself. By expanding the construction to fluid channels <NUM> on the back of top surface <NUM>, <FIG>, top of one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> can be eliminated and the back surface <NUM> now becomes the top of the housing with fluid channels therein. Thus, housing <NUM> is fully integrated with the photovoltaic construction as shown in <FIG>. Further details of the integrated photovoltaic panel and housing <NUM>, <FIG> are disclosed in the '<NUM> patent cited supra and incorporated by reference. Integrated system <NUM>VII can be used for any of the embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The functions discussed above are only illustrative of the level of complexity that can be incorporated into the design. However, all of the above may utilize one or more embodiments of hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system <NUM> with one or more heat pumps invention, shown in one or more of <FIG>, which combine hybrid solar (photovoltaic/thermal) collectors capable of absorbing and radiating thermal energy with heat pump technology to maximize the contribution of renewable energy.

Additionally, alternative one or more supplemental solar energy collectors <NUM> known by those skilled in the art may be used by system <NUM>, <FIG>, which may have the capability to generate electricity, collect thermal energy and dissipate thermal energy, are not connected to heat pumps to allow both heating and cooling, nor would it be obvious to do so as they are typically of a form that would not allow efficient use of such coupling.

Claim 1:
A hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system (<NUM>) with one or more heat pumps (<NUM>), the system comprising:
one or more photovoltaic panels (<NUM>) configured to convert incident radiation to electricity;
one or more supplemental solar energy collectors (<NUM>) having a flow of fluid therein coupled to the one or more photovoltaic panels (<NUM>), the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors (<NUM>) configured to collect thermal energy from the one or more photovoltaic panels (<NUM>), radiate thermal energy to outer space (<NUM>), collect thermal energy from an environment (<NUM>) and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment (<NUM>) to heat or cool one or more loads (<NUM>); and
wherein the one or more heat pumps (<NUM>) are coupled to the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors (<NUM>) and the one or more loads (<NUM>), characterized in that the one or more heat pumps (<NUM>) are configured to be shifted to amplify heating or cooling of the one or more loads (<NUM>, <NUM>).