Performance analysis of a novel hybrid electrical generation system using photovoltaic/thermal and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle

Abstract

A combination of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC) is an effective and promising method to improve the electricity generation efficiency of solar energy by converting the low-grade heat from the hot water of PV/T into electricity. The concept and mathematic model of the hybrid PV/T-TREC system are constructed based on the working principle and characteristics of PV/T and TREC. A parametric analysis (ambient temperature, solar radiation, water mass flow rate, water inlet temperature) and a comparative study of PV, PV/T, PV/T-TREC systems are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the novel system. The results show that the performance of the hybrid PV/T-TREC system is better than PV and PV/T modules in the majority of working conditions. The electrical efficiency of the PV/T-TREC system is 0.92% and 0.35% higher than the single PV/T and PV modules on average as ambient temperature changes. The heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the PV/T-TREC system tends to decrease, increase, decrease, increase first and then decrease as factors of ambient temperature, solar radiation, water mass flow rate, water inlet temperature increase respectively.