Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to experimentally assess the real-life outdoor performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module against a conventional photovoltaic (PV) system in a hot humid tropical climate in Ghana. An experimental setup comprising a water-based mono-crystalline silicon PVT and an ordinary mono-crystalline silicon PV was installed on a rooftop at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi and results evaluated for the entire year of 2019. It was observed that the annual total output energy of PV module was 194.79 kWh/m2 whereas that of the PVT for electrical and thermal outputs were 149.92 kWh/m2 and 1087.79 kWh/m2, respectively. The yearly average daily electrical energy yield for the PV and PVT were 3.21 kWh/kWp/day and 2.72 kWh/kWp/day, respectively. The annual performance ratios for the PV and PVT (based on electrical energy output only) were 79.2% and 51.6%, respectively, whilst their capacity factors were, respectively, 13.4% and 11.3%. Whereas the highest monthly mean efficiency recorded for the PV was 12.7%, the highest combined measured monthly mean electrical/thermal efficiency of the PVT was 56.1%. It is also concluded that the PVT is a worthy prospective alternative energy source in off-grid situations.
Highlights
Solar energy is commonly collected as heat and electricity through thermal and photovoltaic (PV)technologies, respectively
The highest and minimum monthly average daily ambient temperatures of 28.78 ◦ C and 25.18 ◦ C were recorded in February and August, respectively
The average ambient temperature is dependent on the time or season of the year
Summary
Solar energy is commonly collected as heat and electricity through thermal and photovoltaic (PV)technologies, respectively. Solar energy is commonly collected as heat and electricity through thermal and photovoltaic (PV). A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) integrates a solar thermal absorber and a PV into one unit. Whereas the PV cells generate electricity, the integrated thermal system absorbs residual heat energy from the cells and reduces their temperature in the process and enhances their performance [1,2,3]. Hybrid PVT collectors can reach net (electrical plus thermal) efficiencies of 70% or higher, with electrical efficiencies up to 15–20% and thermal efficiencies exceeding 50%, depending on the conditions [5]. The PVT technologies have the potential to reduce the use of materials, installation time, and the required space [6]. The advantage of PVTs in generating both electricity and thermal energy simultaneously makes them handy for domestic applications.
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