Experimental and analytical analysis of the impact of different base plate materials and design parameters on the performance of the photovoltaic/thermal system

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the most important and prospective renewable energy sources. Solar photovoltaic/thermal systems (PV/T), which could provide both heat and electricity at the same time, are becoming increasingly popular in households and commercial buildings. The PV/T system design parameters and base plate material selection are significant for achieving long-term dependability, longevity, and performance. The present work examines the effects of various base plate materials and design parameters on the performance of a PV/T assisted heat pump system, utilizing a validated mathematical model. Three different base plate materials, namely, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and Tedlar-Polyester-Tedlar (TPT), with a single-crystalline silicon photovoltaic module, were employed in the PV/T system design. According to the experimental results, the PV/T system with TPT base plate has a low photovoltaic module average temperature and a high average electrical efficiency which are 35 °C and 14.8%, respectively. The PV/T system with Cu base plate has the most optimal average thermal efficiency and coefficient of performance (COP) which are 48% and 3.93, respectively. In addition, the impact of the PV packing factor and the pitch of the heat pipe on the performance of PV/T system was examined and analyzed. For all types of base plate, the COP of the system decreases with the increase of PV packing factor and pitch of the heat pipe of the PV/T module.