Development of a combined system with a hybrid solar collector and determination of its thermal characteristics

Abstract

The object of the study: a system with a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector. The main problem addressed is to enhance the conversion and utilization efficiency of solar energy by developing a new design of photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector. A computer model of the proposed design of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) was developed, and its thermotechnical characteristics were investigated. Patterns of temperature changes in the heat transfer fluid in PVT and thermal accumulator over time of irradiation were determined. It is shown that the instantaneous thermal power of the solar collector was 540 W/m2, and the efficiency was 0.6. Changes in the instantaneous specific thermal power of the system with PVT (up to 450 W/m2) and its efficiency in heat accumulation in the accumulator (0.5) were studied. The high efficiency of PVT can be explained by its optimal design, which ensures simultaneous production of thermal and electrical energy, as well as balancing of the operation of the thermal and photovoltaic parts. The main difference between the developed model and existing analogs is the comprehensive consideration of the interaction of the thermal and photovoltaic parts in one installation. The model allows optimizing the PVT design to increase its efficiency. The research has allowed developing a new design of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector, which ensures high efficiency of conversion and utilization of solar energy. The obtained results and the developed model provide a basis for further improvement of PVT and its implementation in power systems of buildings and technological processes to increase the share of solar energy utilization and reduce fossil fuel consumption