Experimental performance comparison of a novel design of bi-fluid photovoltaic-thermal module using Louver fins

Abstract

This investigation designed and fabricated a novel configuration of a copper absorber plate fixed to the photovoltaic module to reduce overheating. Louver-shaped fins with a serpentine tube were mounted to the absorber to configure a bi-fluid-based photovoltaic thermal module. Experiments aimed to enhance the heat transfer rate from the PV surface to the air in the channel and water in the tube. This study analyses how cells, the backside, and ambient temperatures affect the PV/T module’s electrical power, thermal power, thermal efficiency, and electrical efficiency. Experiments with the new design showed an increasing linear relationship between electrical production efficiency and a decrease in cell temperature thanks to the fins and tube. Compared to the standard photovoltaic unit, the hourly average of the cell temperature of the PV module in the new bi-fluid system dropped by up to 19.2 °C. Electrical and thermal efficiency values were found to be 5.9% and 0% of the standard unit, 6.7% and 34.26% of the air-cooled module, and 7.56% and 66.17% of the bi-fluid module. The essence behind the idea of using Louver-shaped fins and tubes is that the fluid of the configured unit gains the most heat, making them very efficient at using electricity.