Hot water system

Abstract

To provide a hybrid hot water supply system including a solar power generation device, which can more automatically set a start time and an end time of a hot water storage allowable period in which hot water storage is allowed on the basis of weather forecast information including solar radiation amount data by control means.SOLUTION: In a hybrid hot water supply system (S) that includes a hot water storage tank (12) storing hot water, a heat pump heat source machine (3) heating hot water in the hot water storage tank (12) and control means (11) and is configured to be operable by using electric power generated by a solar power generation device (40), the control means (11) acquires weather forecast information including solar radiation amount data by time from an external server (51), and sets a start time and an end time of a hot water storage allowable period in which hot water storage is allowed on the basis of the acquired solar radiation amount data of the weather forecast information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply system, and more particularly to a hot water supply system equipped with a solar power generation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, hybrid hot water supply systems have been put into practical use, which have a heat pump heat source, a hot water storage tank, and a combustion-type auxiliary heat source, and are connected to a solar power generation device having multiple solar cell panels that generate electricity using sunlight.

[0003] The hybrid hot water system is equipped with a consumption priority mode that promotes self-consumption of solar power generation, but the hybrid hot water system alone cannot determine whether solar power generation is occurring, so users must check the weather forecast every day and set whether or not the solar power generation will be operating and at what time.

[0004] The hot water storage type water heater described in Patent Document 1 obtains weather forecast information from an external server, and if the weather forecast information satisfies certain conditions, the electricity used to boil water in the heat pump heat source unit is generated by solar power instead of commercial electricity.

[0005] In the solar power generation type hot water supply systems described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the time periods when surplus power will be generated when using solar power are predicted, and the time periods when heating operation will be performed in the hot water storage tank are determined. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-2702 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6803781 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6539572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In a heat pump hot water supply system connected to a solar power generation device, it is time-consuming and complicated for a user to check the weather forecast every day and set the time period for the consumption-priority mode in which the solar power generation device will operate. If the consumption priority mode is set when the weather forecast predicts rain, hot water supply operation will be performed during a time period away from the hot water supply load even though there is no power generation, resulting in a large loss of heat radiation.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to automatically obtain solar radiation data by a control means. Based on By predicting the time periods when solar power generation is taking place based on the current situation, it is possible to set the start and end times of the period during which hot water storage is permitted. In addition, the system determines whether hot water storage is permitted for each time period based on weather forecast data. The present invention aims to provide a hybrid hot water supply system equipped with a solar power generation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The hot water supply system of claim 1 comprises a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heat source machine for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a control means, and is configured to be operable with electricity generated by a solar power generation device, and the control means is configured to receive control signals from an external server. 、 Solar radiation data by hour and also acquires weather forecast data including a sunny mark, a cloudy mark, an umbrella mark, or a probability of precipitation for each time period, and the control means sets the start time of the hot water storage allowable period to the time when the amount of solar radiation indicated by the solar radiation amount data is expected to exceed a first predetermined value, and sets the end time of the hot water storage allowable period to the last time of one or more times when the amount of solar radiation is expected to fall below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value, and after setting the start time and end time, the control means determines whether or not hot water storage is allowable for each time period between the start time and the end time based on the weather forecast data. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the control unit receives solar radiation data by time from an external server. and weather forecast data Therefore, the user does not need to obtain weather forecast information from a television or the like, and can obtain weather forecast information efficiently and economically. The control means automatically sets the start and end times of the hot water storage allowance period based on the solar radiation data acquired from the outside by the operating terminal, eliminating the need for the user to manually set the start and end times, allowing for efficient and economical setting. Furthermore, even if the amount of solar radiation fluctuates many times during the day, such as during seasons when the weather is changeable, by setting the end time of the hot water storage allowable period to the last of one or more times when the amount of solar radiation is expected to fall below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value, it is possible to prevent multiple fragmented hot water storage allowable periods from being set. Furthermore, for the period between the start time and the end time, whether or not hot water storage is permitted is determined for each time period based on weather forecast data, so it is possible to set whether hot water storage is permitted even on cloudy days.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013] Claim 2 The hot water system of 1 In the invention, The control means The start time and end time of the hot water storage allowable period are set when it is expected that the state in which the amount of solar radiation exceeds the first predetermined value will continue for a certain period of time or more.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by setting the start and end times of the hot water storage allowable period when it is expected that the amount of solar radiation will exceed the first predetermined value for a certain period of time or more, it is possible to prevent large losses in control and hot water storage operation.

[0015] Claim 3 The hot water system of 1 or 2 In the invention, the first and second predetermined values ​​are set as variable values ​​depending on at least one of the season, the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device, the heat pump output, or the hot water storage temperature.

[0016] According to the above configuration, for example, the first and second specified values ​​can be lowered in hot seasons, or when the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device is high, or when the hot water storage temperature is low, thereby enabling hot water storage operation that makes better use of the power generated by solar power generation.

[0017]

[0018] [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The present invention provides various effects as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hybrid hot water supply system connected to a solar power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen of the operation remote controller. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen of the operation remote controller. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a hot water storage allowable period setting control. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing Example 1 of hot water storage control using hot water storage allowable period setting control. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing a hot water storage control example 2 similar to the above. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing a hot water storage control example 3 similar to the above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples. [Example]

[0022] First, the overall structure of the hybrid hot water supply system S will be briefly explained. As shown in Figure 1, the heat pump hot water supply system S has a heat pump hot water supply device 1 consisting of a hot water storage tank unit 2, a heat pump heat source unit 3 (HP heat source unit), and an auxiliary heat source unit 13, a solar power generation device 40 (PV power generation device) that generates electricity using sunlight, and a main control unit 11 that controls the heat pump hot water supply system S.

[0023] Next, the heat pump hot water supply device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, heat pump water heater 1 includes hot water storage tank unit 2 equipped with a large-capacity hot water storage tank 12 for storing hot water and gas-fired auxiliary heat source unit 13, heat pump heat source unit 3 having a heat pump circuit, hot water circulation piping 9 for circulating hot water between hot water storage tank unit 2 and heat pump heat source unit 3, and auxiliary heat source unit 13. Hot water in hot water storage tank 12 is supplied to supply small amounts of hot water to the kitchen, etc., and hot water in hot water storage tank 12 is used to supply large amounts of hot water to the bath, etc., but hot water is supplied by driving auxiliary heat source unit 13 as needed.

[0024] Next, the hot water storage tank unit 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the hot water storage tank unit 2 includes a hot water storage tank 12 having a vertically long cylindrical outer surface, various pipes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, an auxiliary heat source unit 13, and an outer case 14. The hot water storage tank 12 stores high-temperature hot water heated by the heat pump heat source unit 3, and is made of stainless steel plate material with excellent corrosion resistance.

[0025] A water supply pipe 7, such as a water pipe, and a lower pipe 8, which is connected to an upstream pipe 9a of a hot water circulation pipe 9, are connected to the lower end of the hot water storage tank 12. An on-off valve 15 is provided on the water supply pipe 7 to supply tap water to the hot water storage tank 12. Normally, the on-off valve 15 is open, and tap water is supplied into the hot water storage tank 12.

[0026] The hot water circulation pipe 9 has an upstream pipe 9a and a downstream pipe 9b, and hot water (reserved water) is sent from the hot water storage tank 12 via a liquid transfer pump 16 through the lower pipe 8 and the upstream pipe 9a to the heat pump heat source unit 3. The hot water heated in the hot water heating heat exchanger 21 of the heat pump heat source unit 3 flows to the downstream pipe 9b.

[0027] An upper pipe 10, which is connected to the downstream pipe 9b and the hot water outlet pipe 6, is connected to the upper end of the hot water storage tank 12. An on-off valve 17 is provided on the upper pipe 10. Normally, the on-off valve 17 is open, allowing high-temperature hot water (e.g., 80 to 90°C) returned from the downstream pipe 9b through the upper pipe 10 to be stored in the hot water storage tank 12, and the high-temperature hot water in the hot water storage tank 12 can be supplied to the upper pipe 10 when hot water is supplied.

[0028] The outer surface of the hot water tank 12 is covered with a heat insulating material 12a made of a foam insulating material formed by foaming a resin such as foamed polypropylene or foamed polystyrene. A plurality of temperature sensors 31-34 (#1-#4 thermistors) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction of the hot water tank 12. The temperature sensors 31-34 are connected to the main control unit 11, and temperature detection signals from the temperature sensors 31-34 are supplied to the main control unit 11.

[0029] The hot water outlet pipe 6 has an upstream pipe 6a through which high-temperature hot water flows, and a downstream pipe 6b through which mixed hot water, a mixture of cold water and high-temperature hot water, flows. The downstream end of the upstream pipe 6a is connected to a mixing valve 27, the upstream end of the downstream pipe 6b is connected to the mixing valve 27, and a branch pipe 7a branching off from the middle of the water supply pipe 7 is connected to the mixing valve 27. An auxiliary heat source unit 13 is installed in the middle of the downstream pipe 6b of the hot water outlet pipe 6. A hot water tap 4 is connected to the downstream end of the downstream pipe 6b.

[0030] The auxiliary heat source unit 13 is a gas water heater that uses city gas as fuel and includes a combustion unit 13a consisting of a gas burner, a blower 13b for supplying combustion air to the combustion unit 13a, and a heat exchanger 13c for reheating water with the combustion heat generated by the combustion unit 13a to produce hot water, and gas is supplied to the combustion unit 13a via a gas pipe extending from the outside.In addition, a bypass pipe 36 is provided that bypasses the downstream pipe 6b that passes through the auxiliary heat source unit 13, and a selector valve 37 can be used to selectively switch between the downstream pipe 6b and the bypass pipe 36.

[0031] The outer case 14 is formed in the shape of a box made of thin steel plate and houses the main control unit 11, the hot water storage tank 12, the piping 6, 7, 8, 10, most of the hot water circulation piping 9, the auxiliary heat source unit 13, the liquid transfer pump 16, the on-off valves 15, 17, the mixing valve 27, and multiple temperature sensors 28-30.

[0032] Next, the heat pump heat source unit 3 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the heat pump heat source unit 3 has an outside air heat absorption heat exchanger 18 as an evaporator, a compressor 20, a hot water heating heat exchanger 21 as a condenser, and an expansion valve 22 that rapidly expands high-pressure refrigerant to reduce its temperature and pressure.These devices 18, 20, 21, and 22 are connected via refrigerant piping 23 to form a heat pump circuit, and the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant piping 23 is used to perform hot water heating operation.

[0033] The heat pump heat source unit 3 further includes a blower fan 19 for the evaporator driven by a blower motor 19a, an auxiliary control unit 24 connected to the main control unit 11 and controlling the heat pump heat source unit 3, and an outer case 25 for housing these.

[0034] The outside air heat absorption heat exchanger 18 has an evaporator passage 18a included in the refrigerant pipe 23, and this evaporator passage 18a has a plurality of fins, and in this outside air heat absorption heat exchanger 18, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator passage 18a and the outside air, and the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and vaporizes. The compressor 20 is a well-known hermetic compressor that adiabatically compresses the gas-phase refrigerant to increase its temperature.

[0035] The hot water heating heat exchanger 21 has a heat exchanger passage portion 21a and an internal passage 21b that is part of the refrigerant piping 23, and this internal passage 21b is formed of a copper pipe that can withstand a pressure of, for example, 16 MPa or more. In this hot water heating heat exchanger 21, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the internal passage 21b and the hot water supplied from the upstream piping 9a to the heat exchanger passage portion 21a, and the hot water is heated and the refrigerant is cooled and liquefied.

[0036] The expansion valve 22 adiabatically expands the refrigerant in a liquid phase to lower its temperature. The expansion valve 22 is a control valve with a variable throttle amount. However, instead of the expansion valve 22, an expansion valve with a fixed throttle amount may be used.

[0037] In the heat pump heat source unit 3, the heated refrigerant compressed to high pressure by the compressor 20 is sent to the heat exchanger 21 for heating hot water, and by driving the liquid transfer pump 16, heat is exchanged with hot water or water that flows from the lower end of the hot water storage tank 12 through the lower piping 8 and the upstream piping 9a into the heat exchanger passage section 21a, heating the hot water or water.The heated hot water passes through the downstream piping 9b and the upper piping 10 and is stored in the hot water storage tank 12 of the hot water storage tank unit 2, and by repeating the heating operation via the heat pump heat source unit 3, high-temperature hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 12.

[0038] Next, the main control unit 11 will be described. The main control unit 11 is configured to be communicatively connectable with various devices, such as a user-operable operation remote control 35 (operation terminal), a power measuring device 45 that measures various types of power, a distribution board 43, and the auxiliary control unit 24, and is capable of data communication between the operation remote control 35, the distribution board 43, the power measuring device 45, and the auxiliary control unit 24. The main control unit 11 is also connected to the Internet 50 by a line termination device 36 that has, for example, a router function. A server 51 installed by a weather information provider is connected to the Internet 50, and weather forecast information can be provided via the Internet 50.

[0039] When a user operates the hot water supply, hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 12 flows into the hot water outlet pipe 6, and this hot water is mixed with tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 7 in the mixing valve 27 until the predetermined temperature is reached and the hot water is supplied to the hot water tap 4 such as a faucet. Temperature sensors 28-30 for detecting the hot water temperature or the inlet water temperature are provided upstream and downstream of the mixing valve 27 and in the water supply pipe 7, respectively, and the detection signals of these temperature sensors 28-30 are supplied to the main control unit 11. Based on the temperature detection data detected by these temperature sensors 28-30, the main control unit 11 controls the mixing valve 27 to adjust the mixing ratio of hot water and water, thereby adjusting the temperature of the hot water to be supplied and supplying hot water.

[0040] Furthermore, if the temperature of the hot water is insufficient, the main control unit 11 can drive the auxiliary heat source unit 13 to reheat the hot water or heat tap water to supply hot water. Furthermore, during hot water heating operation, the main control unit 11 determines the heating temperature at which the hot water is heated by the heat pump heat source unit 3 based on the target hot water temperature data and the temperature detection data from the temperature sensors 31 to 34, and instructs the auxiliary control unit 24 on the heating temperature.

[0041] The auxiliary control unit 24 is capable of data communication with the main control unit 11, and controls the operation of various devices (such as the blower motor 19a and compressor 20) of the heat pump heat source machine 3 according to commands from the main control unit 11. At the outlet side of the hot water heating heat exchanger 21, a temperature sensor 26 for detecting the hot water temperature is provided in the downstream piping 9b, and the detection signal is supplied to the main control unit 11. The auxiliary control unit 24 receives the command temperature and temperature detection data from the main control unit 11 and operates the heat pump heat source machine 3 so that the heating temperature of the hot water becomes the commanded temperature.

[0042] Next, the operation remote controller 35 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the operation remote control 35 includes a microcomputer (not shown), a display unit 35a that allows various information such as the operating status and operational status of the heat pump water heater 1 to be visually confirmed, and a plurality of switches 35b that allow remote control of the heat pump water heater 1 and various setting operations for the operation remote control 35.

[0043] Display unit 35a of operation remote controller 35 displays not only the amounts of city gas and tap water used calculated from various sensors, but also the amount of electricity purchased from and sold to the electric power company, and the total amount of electricity used in the home, all of which are transmitted from power measurement device 40. When a hot water supply temperature setting (for example, approximately 40°C) is set by operating a switch, the hot water supply temperature setting data is transmitted from operation remote controller 35 to main control unit 11.

[0044] Next, the solar power generation device 40 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a solar power generation device 40 includes a plurality of solar cell panels 41, a power conditioner (not shown), and the like, and is installed on a mounting base on an installation surface such as a roof, with generated power transmitted to a distribution board 43 via power lines 42. The plurality of solar cell panels 41 are installed, for example, arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and multiple columns. The solar cell panel 41 has a general structure including a rectangular panel body capable of receiving light and generating power, and a frame provided around the outer periphery of the panel body for fixing the panel body. The shape and number of the solar cell panels 41 are not limited to those described above and can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] Next, the power measuring device 45 will be described. 1, the power measuring device 45 is provided in a distribution board 43 corresponding to the two-system connection between the commercial power source and the solar power generation device 40, or in the vicinity of the distribution board 43. That is, the power measuring device 45 is made up of a wattmeter that measures the power generated by the solar power generation device 40, a wattmeter that measures the power used in the home, and a wattmeter that measures the power purchased from the power company and the power sold to the power company.

[0046] Next, the hot water storage allowable period setting control specific to the present invention, which is executed by the main control unit 11, will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. This hot water storage allowable period is a period during which hot water storage is allowed during times of day when the amount of solar radiation is high.

[0047] When setting the allowable hot water storage period using the operation remote controller 35 (operation terminal), the user displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. 2 and presses "consumption priority" to set the consumption priority mode.

[0048] The main control unit 11 accesses an external server 51 connected to the Internet 50 every few hours to obtain weather forecast information including solar radiation data for each hour of the day. The main control unit 11 then sets the start and end times of the hot water storage allowance period during which hot water storage using solar power generation is permitted based on the solar radiation data contained in the above-mentioned weather forecast information, and transmits the start and end times to the operation remote control 35.

[0049] In parallel with this, the main control unit 11 reads the data of the hot water storage heat quantity (hot water storage load) for that day, which is set by learning control not shown, and sets the time period for hot water storage operation so that all or part of the hot water storage heat quantity is stored in advance (about one hour before hot water use) within the hot water storage allowable period.

[0050] The flowchart of the above-described hot water storage allowable period setting control will be briefly explained with reference to Fig. 4. Note that Si (i=1, 2, . . . ) indicates each step. For example, when this control is started at a set time before 6:00 every day, various data required for the calculation are read, and then in S2 it is determined whether or not the "consumption priority mode" is set. If the "consumption priority mode" is set, in S3 weather forecast information including hourly solar radiation data is read from an external server 51 via the Internet 50.

[0051] Next, in S4, the start time and end time of the hot water storage allowable period are calculated and set based on the solar radiation data for each hour between 6:00 and 18:00, for example. The start time is when the amount of solar radiation reaches a first predetermined value (for example, 400 W / m 2) and is expected to continue exceeding the first predetermined value for a certain period (for example, one hour). The end time is set when the amount of solar radiation is expected to exceed a second predetermined value (for example, 300 W / m 2 ) is set to the time when it is expected to fall below 100°C.

[0052] Here, the start threshold value corresponding to the first predetermined value and the end threshold value corresponding to the second predetermined value may be set as follows. Start threshold = [A + power consumption (kW)] / output correction coefficient End threshold = [B + power consumption (kW)] / output correction coefficient

[0053] The power consumption is the power consumption of the entire hot water supply device (during hot water storage operation), and A and B are predetermined margins for power consumption, which are set to values ​​such that A>B to prevent hunting. The power consumption is a variable value depending on the season, hot water storage temperature, and heat pump output, and the start and end thresholds are corrected according to the power consumption. The output correction coefficient corrects the start and end thresholds as variable values ​​depending on the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device, which is determined by the number of solar panels, the installation orientation of the solar panels, etc. That is, the greater the maximum power generation capacity, the greater the output correction coefficient, and the lower the stored hot water temperature, the smaller the power consumption. In addition, the heat pump is more efficient in summer, so power consumption is also smaller.

[0054] In this way, in a house with many solar panels, the amount of power generated is large relative to the solar radiation data, so the threshold can be lowered by setting a correction value proportional to the amount of power generated in the output correction coefficient. The threshold is also lowered in summer, and the lower the hot water storage temperature, the lower the threshold becomes. Returning to the flowchart, in S5, the start and end time data is sent to the operation remote controller 35 and displayed on its screen as shown in Figure 3.

[0055] Next, in S6, the main control unit 11 reads from memory the data on the amount of heat generated by hot water (hot water load) set by learning control. Next, in S7, hot water storage operation is performed so that all or part of the amount of heat generated by hot water is stored in advance within the hot water storage allowable period. Next, in S8, it is determined whether the time is 6:00 p.m. If the determination is No, the process returns to S7. If the determination is Yes in S8, this control ends.

[0056] The chart shown in Fig. 5 illustrates Example 1 of hot water storage control using allowable hot water storage period setting control. In Example 1 of hot water storage control in Fig. 5, the "hot water heat amount" column illustrates the hot water heat amount (hot water supply load) using learning control, the following "hot water storage time" column illustrates the hot water storage time for storing hot water using learning control, the "time" column illustrates the first allowable hot water storage period (10:00 to 11:00) and the second allowable hot water storage period (13:00 to 16:00) with diagonal lines, the "solar radiation amount" column illustrates the amount of solar radiation, the start threshold (first predetermined value), and the end threshold (second predetermined value), and the following "hot water storage time" column illustrates hot water storage using learning control and hot water storage using this allowable hot water storage period setting control (hot water storage from 10:00 to 11:00, and hot water storage from 13:00 to 14:00). [Example]

[0057] A second embodiment, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. In the control for setting the allowable hot water storage period of this second embodiment, the operation remote controller 35 acquires weather forecast data in addition to the weather forecast information from the external server 51, and the main control unit 11 sets the start time of the allowable hot water storage period when the amount of solar radiation is expected to exceed a first predetermined value, and sets the end time of the allowable hot water storage period to the last time of one or more times when the amount of solar radiation is expected to fall below a second predetermined value, and for the period from the start time to the end time, it is determined whether or not hot water storage is allowed for each time period based on the weather forecast data. The first and second predetermined values ​​are set in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This makes it possible to prevent multiple fragmented hot water storage allowable periods from being set.

[0058] 6 shows Example 2 of hot water storage control using the hot water storage allowable period setting control. In Example 2 of hot water storage control, weather forecast information (sunny mark, cloudy mark, umbrella mark, and probability of precipitation) is also shown. Because the amount of solar radiation exceeds the first predetermined value at 10:00, the start time is set to 10:00, and because the amount of solar radiation falls below the second predetermined value at 11:00 and 16:00, the end time is set to 16:00, which corresponds to the final end time. Although the amount of solar radiation is insufficient from 11:00 to 13:00, whether or not to store hot water between the start and end times is determined for each time period based on weather forecast data.

[0059] For example, the lower half of Figure 6 shows three examples of hot water storage. In the first example of hot water storage, the weather forecast is for clear skies all day, so hot water is stored from 10:00 to 12:00, but it may also be stored from 13:00 to 16:00.

[0060] The second (first stage) example of hot water storage is an example in which hot water storage is not performed when the probability of precipitation is 60% or higher, and hot water storage is permitted when the probability of precipitation is 50%. The third (second stage) example of hot water storage is an example in which hot water is not stored when the probability of precipitation is 30% or higher. Therefore, hot water is not stored during periods when the probability of precipitation is 50% or higher. In this way, a control logic may be adopted that determines whether or not hot water storage is permitted based on the value of the probability of precipitation in the weather forecast information.

[0061] 7 shows Example 3 of hot water storage control using the hot water storage allowable period setting control. In Example 3 of hot water storage control, weather forecast information (sunny mark, cloudy mark, umbrella mark, and probability of precipitation) is also shown.

[0062] Similar to the second (first stage) hot water storage example in Figure 6, this is an example in which hot water storage is not performed when the probability of precipitation is 60% or higher. In this example, it is cloudy from 10:00 to 11:00, but rain is forecast for 11:00 to 12:00, so hot water storage is performed all at once from 13:00 onwards when the cloudy weather will continue for more than two hours. In this way, a control logic may be adopted that prioritizes one continuous hot water storage over two separate hot water storages.

[0063] In the hot water storage operation shown in Figures 5 to 7 above, the amount of hot water stored per hour is set to the same amount, but the amount of hot water stored may be set to an appropriate amount less than the above amount depending on the amount of solar radiation and weather.

[0064] The operation and effects of the hybrid hot water supply system S described above will now be described. Since the operation remote controller 35 acquires weather forecast information including solar radiation data by time from an external server 51, the user does not need to acquire weather forecast information from a television or the like, and can acquire weather forecast information efficiently and economically.

[0065] The main control unit 11 automatically sets the start and end times of the hot water storage allowance period based on the solar radiation data acquired from the outside by the operation remote controller 35, so the user does not need to manually set the start and end times, and the settings can be made efficiently and economically.

[0066] The start time is set based on a first predetermined value, and the end time is set based on a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value, thereby preventing hunting, in which the start and end times are frequently repeated, and stabilizing control.

[0067] By setting the time of the hot water storage allowable period when it is expected that the amount of solar radiation will exceed the first predetermined value for a certain period of time or more, it is possible to prevent large losses in control and hot water storage operation.

[0068] The first and second predetermined values ​​are set as variable values ​​according to at least one of the season, the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device, the heat pump output, or the hot water storage temperature. For example, the first and second predetermined values ​​can be lowered in hot seasons, or when the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device is high, or when the hot water storage temperature is low, thereby enabling hot water storage operation that makes better use of the power generated by solar power generation.

[0069] Even if the amount of solar radiation fluctuates many times in a day, such as during seasons when the weather is changeable, by setting the end time of the hot water storage allowable period to the last of one or more times when the amount of solar radiation is expected to fall below the second predetermined value, it is possible to prevent multiple fragmented hot water storage allowable periods from being set. Furthermore, for the period between the start time and the end time, whether or not hot water storage is permitted is determined for each time period based on weather forecast data, so it is possible to set whether hot water storage is permitted even on cloudy days.

[0070] Furthermore, since weather forecasts may vary between morning and afternoon, weather forecast information and weather forecast data including solar radiation data may be obtained twice, before 6:00 a.m. and before 12:00 noon, and hot water storage in the afternoon may be set based on the latter weather forecast information and weather forecast data. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also encompasses such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] S Hybrid hot water system 1. Heat pump water heater 3. Heat pump heat source machine 11 Main control unit 12 Hot water tank 35 Operation remote control (operation terminal) 40 Solar power generation equipment 51 servers

Claims

1. A hot water supply system including a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a heat pump heat source for heating the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and a control means, and configured to be operable using electricity generated by a solar power generation device, The control means acquires hourly solar radiation data from an external server, and also acquires weather forecast data including a sunny mark, a cloudy mark, an umbrella mark, or a probability of precipitation for each time period, the control means sets a start time of the hot water storage allowable period to a time when the amount of solar radiation indicated by the solar radiation amount data is expected to exceed a first predetermined value, and sets an end time of the hot water storage allowable period to the last time of one or more times when the amount of solar radiation is expected to fall below a second predetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value; A hot water supply system characterized in that, after setting the start time and end time, the control means determines whether hot water storage is permitted for each time period between the start time and the end time based on the weather forecast data.

2. The supply system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the control means sets the start time and end time of the hot water storage allowable period when it is expected that the state in which the amount of solar radiation indicated by the solar radiation data exceeds the first predetermined value will continue for a certain period of time or more.

3. A hot water supply system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second predetermined values ​​are set as variable values ​​according to at least one of the season, the maximum power generation capacity of the solar power generation device, the heat pump output, or the hot water storage temperature.

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