Abstract
Photovoltaic-thermal panels are hybrid systems that combine the two types of conventional solar energy technologies (photovoltaic and thermal panels) and simultaneously generate both thermal and electrical energy in a micro-cogeneration system. Like any co-generation system, there is an optimal balance that can be achieved between the thermal and electrical energy produced. For this reason, it is important to establish the relationship and inter-connection between the two. Limited research is available on the cogeneration interaction in a PVT system, so the novelty of this article lies in the consideration of the entire energy system connected to the PVT panel, including the storage tank and the consumer demand curve, and the investigation of the thermal parametric variation. This study analyses the impact of the variation of some thermal parameters of a domestic hot water tank on the electrical efficiency of a photovoltaic-thermal panel. A model of a system of photovoltaic-thermal panels is built in a transient systems simulation program (TRNSYS) and a one-factor-at-a-time analysis is carried out for the cold-water main temperature, tank size, tank outlet flow and consumer demand curve. The results show that the variation of the outlet flow to the consumer has the highest impact on the electrical efficiency, of about 6.8%. The next highest impact factor is the size of the tank with a variation of 4.7%. Matching the profile of the consumer is also an important aspect. It was observed that the peak electrical efficiency occurs during peak consumer demand. Finally, the instantaneous variation of the thermal and electrical power of the system was analysed as a function of the temperature at the inlet of the photovoltaic-thermal panel.
Highlights
A PVT panel combines the benefits of a solar thermal (ST) and a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a single piece of equipment (Figure 1)
The variation from the total refers to the maximum electrical efficiency that can be as a consequence, the electrical efficiency drops significantly
The annual variation in terms of energy refers to in a total of system annual connected to a parametric analysis was carried out to investigate energy produced by a residential PVT system of 1173.24 kWhEL [25]
Summary
A PVT panel combines the benefits of a solar thermal (ST) and a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a single piece of equipment (Figure 1). It simultaneously produces heat and electricity, saving roof space, installation/transportation, and maintenance costs [1]. A system of PVT panels can be classified as a micro-cogeneration system. As in any cogeneration system, there is a tight relationship between the electrical and thermal energy production. Energies2020, 13,xx6481 Energies FOR FOR PEER PEER REVIEW REVIEW of17 22 2of of Figure Figure.
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