🌎 Deep Clean: Powering Your Geothermal Heat Pump with Solar PV

The combination of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) creates a closed-loop, zero-emission solution for a home's total energy needs (electricity, heating, and cooling).

1. The Geothermal Heat Pump Load

GHPs use the stable temperature of the earth to provide hyper-efficient heating and cooling, but they still require electricity to run the pump and compressor.

• ✅ **Efficiency:** GHPs are 300-400% efficient (3-4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity).
• ✅ **The Need:** To achieve true zero-emission heating and cooling, the electricity needed by the GHP must come from a clean source—solar PV.

2. Sizing the Solar System for GHP

The solar system must be sized to cover the GHP's yearly energy consumption.

• **Integration:** The GHP will likely become the single largest load on the home's electricity meter. The solar designer must accurately calculate this additional consumption (kWh) to ensure the array size is sufficient.
• **Savings:** The PV system effectively powers the most efficient HVAC system available, maximizing the lifetime cost savings and minimizing the carbon footprint.

Incentive Stacking

Both solar PV and geothermal often qualify for the same federal and state tax credits (like the ITC), making the combined installation more financially viable through incentive stacking. 💡