The energy demand for heating and hot water in residential, commercial and retail buildings is about 42 % of the total energy demand in Germany. Current heating systems are still mainly based on combustion. They produce high_{CO2 emissions} and high fuel costs. Low-emission economic alternatives currently include heat pump systems, especially in combination with so-called photovoltaic thermal modules, which simultaneously generate warm solar fluid in the collectors and electricity to operate a heat pump. However, these systems are often inefficient in winter and even more expensive than, for example, ground source systems.

The aim of this project is to develop an efficient overall system consisting of a novel low-temperature hybrid collector (NTHK), heat pump and buffer storage. The optimisation is carried out with a focus on efficient independent operation for almost year-round heating supply without the use of external energy. The aim is to generate sufficient hot water and heating energy for detached houses, terraced houses and small multi-family houses as well as for small commercial, trade and service buildings almost all year round.

The development of the NTHK as well as the optimisation of the overall system are based on several measures in the areas of construction and design of the PV module and the heat exchanger as well as the optimisation of the heat management with regard to defined climatic boundary conditions. The overall system developed is intended to provide a sustainable energy supply and at the same time an economically interesting alternative.