Solar energy system

A solar energy system comprising:

• a solar collector in a first circuit for providing energy generated from incident solar radiation;
• a first heat exchange system comprising a second circuit including an ejector that is arranged to operate using at least a portion of the energy provided by the solar energy collector;
• and
• a second heat exchange system comprising a third circuit, wherein the second heat exchange system is arranged to operate using energy from an energy source other than a solar energy source;
• a control system comprising:
• a selector for selecting an operating mode or operation condition of the solar energy system;
• at least one sensor that provides information indicative of an amount of thermal energy that is provided or provideable by the solar energy collector;
• and
• a processor arranged to control operation of the second heat exchange system to supplement the operation of the first heat exchange system based on a selected mode of operation or condition and based on information provided by the at least one sensor;
• and
• a hydronic circuit arranged to exchange thermal energy with the first and second heat exchange systems and comprising a region heat exchanger to supply cooling or heating to a region;
• wherein the solar energy system further comprises a first heat exchanger arranged to directly transfer thermal energy between the first heat exchange system and the hydronic circuit and a second heat exchanger arranged to directly transfer thermal energy between the second heat exchange system and the hydronic circuit, wherein the solar energy system is arranged such that the first heat exchange system and the second heat exchange system are capable of simultaneously transferring thermal energy between the respective first or second heat exchange system and the hydronic circuit via the first and second heat exchangers, respectively;
• wherein the solar energy system is arranged to control a relative contribution of thermal energy to or from of the first and second heat exchange systems to the hydronic circuit and the region.