The Application Potential Of PVT Solar Systems In Industrial Energy Conservation

Against the backdrop of energy transition, industrial enterprises are confronted with dual pressures: on the one hand, energy costs continue to rise; on the other hand, carbon reduction targets are becoming increasingly strict. For the industrial sector, which accounts for one-third of global energy consumption, how to reduce reliance on fossil fuels has become the key for enterprises to maintain their competitiveness in the long term.

Over the past decade or so, photovoltaic and solar water heating technologies have both been applied to certain extent in industrial plants. However, both of these methods have their limitations: the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation is limited, and an increase in temperature will suppress the performance of the solar cells; Although solar water heaters can provide heat energy, they cannot meet the electricity demands of enterprises. PVT (Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Integration) precisely fills this gap. It combines power generation and heating, enhancing the comprehensive utilization efficiency of energy.

In the industrial field, the advantages of PVT are particularly prominent. The reason is quite simple: most factories have wide roof areas and are suitable for installation. At the same time, enterprises need not only stable electricity but also a large amount of low to medium-temperature hot water. This demand is highly consistent with the output characteristics of PVT. Take textile printing and dyeing as an example. The dyeing VAT, rinsing and setting processes all consume a large amount of hot water, with the temperature mostly ranging from 70 to 90℃, which can be precisely provided by the PVT system. The photovoltaic section, on the other hand, supplies power to the factory's equipment, lighting and office areas, complementing each other.

The beer and beverage industry is also a typical beneficiary. The heating of the mashing pot requires a continuous and stable heat supply, while the fermentation workshop demands precise temperature control. Hot water is also indispensable for cleaning bottles and jars. If PVT is installed on the factory roof, it can not only partially replace the natural gas used in boilers, but also reduce the power burden on the cooling system. Taking the case of a European brewery as an example, a PVT system covering approximately 500 square meters can meet one-third of the annual hot water demand, saving nearly 60,000 US dollars in energy costs.

The application scenarios in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are more diverse. Whether it is the heating of the reaction vessel, distillation or solvent recovery, hot water or heat transfer oil with a temperature between 80 and 120℃ is required. The PVT system here can not only provide thermal energy but also reduce peak electricity consumption, helping enterprises relieve the pressure on the power grid. Although the energy consumption in such industries is relatively high and PVT cannot completely replace boilers, it can significantly reduce the basic energy consumption and has a direct effect on carbon emission reduction.

From the perspective of energy efficiency, conventional photovoltaic systems can only utilize approximately 20% of solar energy, while the comprehensive utilization rate of PVT typically exceeds 60%. This means that, under the same roof area, PVT can produce more than twice as much effective energy as a single photovoltaic system. In terms of economic benefits, if local renewable energy subsidies or carbon emission reduction gains are combined, the payback period of the PVT system is generally between 3 and 6 years.

Of course, PVT is not without challenges either. The initial investment in equipment is relatively high, and the professional requirements for system design and maintenance are stronger. In addition, it is mainly applicable to low and medium temperature processes. For high-temperature industrial applications exceeding 400℃, traditional boilers or centralized heating systems are still required. However, these restrictions do not prevent it from being widely promoted in industries such as food, textiles, brewing, and pharmaceuticals.

The future development directions may focus on two aspects: one is the improvement of materials and processes, such as more efficient selective coatings and more stable heat exchange media; The second is the integration with energy storage systems. Through electrical and thermal energy storage, PVT can store energy during the peak production period in the daytime and release it stably at night or on cloudy days, which is particularly important for industrial enterprises.

Overall, PVT is not a distant concept but a solution that is gradually maturing. It can help enterprises reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions and enhance energy security at the same time. For industrial users seeking a green transformation, PVT is a path worth trying.