Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Analysis of Air-Based Photovoltaic Thermal System

Abstract

This paper presents CFD study of air-based photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system with forced circulation of air. A PVT system is a combination of photovoltaic and solar thermal system that simultaneously generates electricity and produces low-grade heat. Till now, huge research work has been carried out for the performance enhancement of PVT systems, though very few PVT systems are commercially available. The high overall cost of the PVT system, unavailability of long-term performance data, unawareness about the benefits of the PVT systems to the customers and production of low-grade heat are some of the important factors responsible for less availability of PVT systems in the commercial market. In this study, CFD analysis of PVT system has been carried out for its thermal performance enhancement using radiation model available in commercial software ANSYS Fluent. The temperature distribution at the PV surface and thermal efficiencies of PVT systems are compared with the experimental results available in the literature and found to be in good agreement.