Parametric analysis and optimization of a novel photovoltaic trombe wall system with venetian blinds: Experimental and computational study

Abstract

This study investigates the parametric electrical and thermal performance of a novel photovoltaic trombe wall with a venetian blind system (PVTW-VB) in a semi-arid climatic conditions. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to determine the optimal parametric configuration for the PVTW-VB and is validated using experimental data. The experimental results indicated that the CFD model could accurately predict the operational performance of the PVTW-VB system. According to the findings, the VB spacing within the air gap, the VB angle, and the PVTW air flow rate should be 0.09 m, 60°, and 0.2 m/s, respectively. Additionally, PVTW-VB is compared with PVTW without VB. The average electrical power generation and PV panel surface temperature are found to be 8.6% higher and 3.2 °C lower in case of PVTW-VB configuration, respectively. Thermal regulation studies are conducted for three different test room configurations (i.e., a normal test room, test room with PVTW and test room with PVTW-VB). The study found that PVTW-VB system reduces the thermal load of the test room.