Chapter 2.18 - Integration of Reflectors to Improve Energy Production of Hybrid PVT Collectors

Abstract

The idea of making the photovoltaic module and thermal system in a single collector is important. We obtain by this combination the hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector. A hybrid PVT collector can directly convert solar energy into electrical and thermal energy. This generation allows, on one hand, the increase of the electrical efficiency of PV cells through the decrease in its operating temperature and, on the other hand, the increase of total production of solar cells by reducing heat loss. In this work, we improve the electrical and thermal production of the hybrid collector by incorporating metal reflectors. Reflectors reduce reflection losses, which are generally very large. We made a prototype of this hybrid PVT collector with reflectors and a measurement companion was conducted. The studied hybrid collector was placed on the same structure as a conventional photovoltaic module of the same dimensions in order to compare their energy performances. Integration of reflectors reduces reflection losses and the total energy production of PVT collector will be improved. The electrical power of the hybrid collector with reflector has been increased compared to the PV module because the hybrid system contains a cooling system and, in addition, a reflector improves electrical and thermal efficiency.