Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) modules suffer from a reduction of electric conversion due to the high operating temperatures of the PV cells. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technology represents an effective solution for cooling the PV cells. This paper discusses a theoretical study on a novel bi-fluid PV/T collector. One dimensional steady-state numerical model is developed, and computer simulations are performed using MATLAB. This numerical model is based on a pilot PV/T plant, installed in the Campus of the University of Catania, and was experimentally validated. The design of the proposed bi-fluid PV/T is based on a commercial WISC PV/T collector, to which are added an air channel, an aluminum absorber with fins, and a layer of thermal insulation. The analysis of the thermal behavior of the proposed collector is carried out as a function of the flow rate of the two heat transfer fluids (air and water). Finally, the comparative analysis between the conventional water-based PV/T collector, namely PV/T, and the bi-fluid (water/air-based) WISC PVT, namely PV/Tb, is presented for both winter and summer days. For the investigated winter day, the numerical results show an overall improvement of the performance of the bi-fluid PV/T module, with an increase of thermal energy transferred to the liquid side of 20%, and of 15.3% for the overall energy yield in comparison to the conventional PV/T collector. Instead, a loss of 0.2% of electricity is observed. No performance improvements were observed during the summer day.
Highlights
In recent decades, the diffusion of photovoltaic (PV) systems has grown rapidly, thanks to their increasing competitiveness compared to other power plant technologies, low maintenance costs, and limited environmental impact.In a PV module, the amount of solar radiation not converted into electricity leads to an increase in the operating temperature of the PV cells, which in turn causes a loss of electrical efficiency [1]
The heat wasted from the PV cell is conveyed through heat transfer fluids (HTF), such as air and water, and it can be used for satisfying several kinds of energy needs
This study aims to study the performances of a novel bi-fluid PV/thermal panel (PVTb) obtained by adding an air channel with the aluminum absorber equipped with fins to a commercial WISC photovoltaic/thermal collectors (PV/T) collector
Summary
The diffusion of photovoltaic (PV) systems has grown rapidly, thanks to their increasing competitiveness compared to other power plant technologies, low maintenance costs, and limited environmental impact.In a PV module, the amount of solar radiation not converted into electricity leads to an increase in the operating temperature of the PV cells, which in turn causes a loss of electrical efficiency [1]. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collectors (PV/T) can be considered as the most recognized technology for actively cooling the PV modules and improving their performance [2]. The heat wasted from the PV cell is conveyed through heat transfer fluids (HTF), such as air and water, and it can be used for satisfying several kinds of energy needs. This technology makes it possible to simultaneously exploit the two forms of energy, electrical and thermal; in this way, a cogeneration system is created [3,4]. Air-based PV/T collectors represent a simple and economical solution for cooling the PV cells. The experiments show that the overall efficiency of a PVT with a single fluid flowing for both above or below the PV cell is the best, with total efficiency as high as 61.4% [11]
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