Glazed Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) Collectors for Domestic Hot Water Preparation in Multifamily Building

Nikola Pokorny,Tomáš Matuška

doi:10.3390/su12156071

Abstract

Photovoltaic–thermal collector generates electrical and thermal energy simultaneously from the same area. In this paper performance analysis of a potentially very promising application of a glazed photovoltaic–thermal collector for domestic hot water preparation in multifamily building is presented. Solar system in multifamily building can be installed on the roof or integrated in the façade of the building. The aim of this simulation study is to show difference of thermal and electrical performance between façade and roof installation of a glazed photovoltaic-thermal collectors at three European locations. Subsequently, this study shows benefit of photovoltaic-thermal collector installation in comparison with side-by-side installation of conventional system. For the purpose of simulation study, mathematical model of glazed photovoltaic-thermal collector has been experimentally validated and implemented into TRNSYS. A solar domestic hot water system with photovoltaic–thermal collectors generates more electrical and thermal energy in comparison with a conventional system across the whole of Europe for a particular installation in a multifamily building. The specific thermal yield of the photovoltaic–thermal system ranges between 352 and 582 kWh/m2. The photovoltaic–thermal system electric yield ranges between 63 and 149 kWh/m2. The increase in electricity production by the photovoltaic–thermal system varies from 19% to 32% in comparison with a conventional side-by-side system. The increase in thermal yield differs between the façade and roof alternatives. Photovoltaic-thermal system installation on the roof has higher thermal yield than conventional system and the increase of thermal yield ranges from 37% to 53%. The increase in thermal yield of façade photovoltaic-thermal system is significantly higher in comparison with a conventional system and ranges from 71% to 81%.

Highlights

Photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) collector represents a technology which combine a solar thermal collector and a photovoltaic module in a single component
The principal barrier for the glazed PVT collector application is the low resistance of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) lamination of PV cells to excessive thermal exposure
This paper provides a performance comparison between façade integration and roof installation of glazed PVT collectors for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation in a multifamily building

Summary

Introduction

Photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) collector represents a technology which combine a solar thermal collector and a photovoltaic module in a single component. A larger solar thermal fraction of the SDHW system in a multifamily building can be achieved with glazed PVT collectors [5] Another option for PVT collectors is the application in a combi system for preparation of domestic hot water (DHW) and for heating. Performance analysis for a multifamily building with developed detailed mathematical model of the glazed PVT collector has been carried out for three different European climates and compared with a conventional solar energy system consisting of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors. Zero-loss thermal efficiency of the PVT collector was evaluated at 68% (related to gross area). Zero-loss thermal efficiency η0,G Linear heat loss coefficient a1,G Quadratic heat loss coefficient a2,G Module zero-loss electrical efficiency ηe,G

Simulation Analysis of SDHW System for Multifamily Building

Findings

Mathematical Model of Glazed PVT Collector