A study of the influence of solar radiation on the thermal performance of evaporators of heat pump systems

Solar radiation has remarkable influence on the thermal performance of evaporators of heat pump systems. This paper proposes a method for considering the influence with correcting the heat transfer coefficient of evaporators. A test setup of a heat pump system was built, and long-term experimental data were obtained. The heat transfer coefficient with solar radiation is 36.2% greater than that without it in the experimental conditions. The correction method presented can be used not only to improve analysis and simulation of the thermal performance and energy consumption of heat pump systems, but also to assist in the design and installation of evaporators and the heat pump systems.