Numerical model and efficiency analysis of finned staggered solar PV/T air collector

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel design for a solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) air collector that utilizes staggered fins. The collector features double-layer flow channels in the same direction, with the upper channel equipped with transparent wave plates, and the lower channel fitted with staggered fins. The paper includes a calculation scheme for wave plate heat balance. The numerical model of the collector is established and verified by experimental results. A numerical model is used to analyze the height combination of the upper and lower runner and the fin arrangement of the lower runner. The results indicate that, under the given environmental parameters, as the PV panel moves down, the overall air heat transfer capacity decreases. When the height combination of the upper/lower runner is 23 mm/105 mm, the maximum value is 53.741%. With the increase of fin spacing, the heat transfer capacity of the lower runner decreases. With the increase of the number of fin rows, the heat transfer capacity of the lower runner increases. When the equivalent diameter of the rectangular channel and the number of fin rows were 70 mm and 3 rows, respectively, the maximum solar energy comprehensive utilization efficiency was 56.261%.