The heat pump is seen as the solution for decarbonising the building sector. To prevent costs from going through the roof due to high electricity prices from the utility, it is a good idea to combine it with a solar system. This saves up to 84 per cent of the electricity costs incurred for operating the heat pump.
Three countries compared
This is one of the results of a study by Solarpower Europe (SPE), which the European association published as part of the report "Solar Powers Heat 2023". The analysts compared the electricity costs for operating the heat pump with and without locally produced solar power in Germany, Spain and Italy. Of course, there are differences here. While solar radiation is higher and heating demand lower in the two southern countries, the situation is different in Germany.
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In addition, the electricity production of the solar system coincides with a possible cooling demand by the heat pump in summer. This further increases the share of solar electricity in the heat pump in southern countries.
In Germany alone, savings of 62 per cent are possible.
The results are correspondingly different. While in Spain the combination of photovoltaics and heat pump saves 84 per cent of heating costs, the savings in Germany are lower at 62 per cent. In Italy, solar electricity in the heat pump also brings very high savings of 83 per cent. These figures apply to medium-sized households.
Savings of this magnitude are actually possible if gas prices fall back to the pre-crisis level of 20 euros per megawatt hour on average. However, politicians must then actively support this. The SPE analysts have identified five points that need to be addressed.
Abolish subsidies for fossil fuels
First of all, all subsidies for gas heating must be abolished in order to create a level playing field for heat pumps or other solar-electric heating systems. In addition, a lower limit should be created for the price of CO2 emissions from fossil heating systems. To ensure that socially disadvantaged households are not overburdened financially, a functioning equalisation scheme must also be introduced.
More support for solar-powered heat pumps
Governments in Europe must support the switch to heat pumps or other solar-electric heating systems with low-interest loans. This is the only way to reduce payback times. They should also provide more support for heat pumps when they are powered by locally produced solar electricity.
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Last but not least, collective self-consumption of solar power must be supported. SPE calls for a corresponding regulation to be included in the upcoming revision of the European electricity market design.
You can download the complete report "Solar Power Heat 2023" from the SPE website. (su/mfo)
