Abstract
In the present work, the electrical and thermal performances of a newly designed PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) air collector, which was proposed and fabricated by the author, have been investigated experimentally in the natural weather conditions. The PV/T air collector has a single-pass double-flow air channel. Also, a non-uniform cross-section transverse rib was attached at the back surface of the PV (photovoltaic) module to improve the heat transfer performance between the PV module and flowing air. The experiment was carried out in an outdoor field on a clear day with various air mass flow rates ranges from 0.0198 kg/s to 0.07698 kg/s. In the results, it was found that the average thermal efficiency of the PV/T collector increased from 35.2% to 56.72% as the air mass flow rate increased. The average electrical efficiency also increased from 14.23% to 14.81% with an increase in an air mass flow rate, but the effect of air mass flow rate on the increase in electrical efficiency was inconsiderable. The average overall efficiency, which represents the sum of electrical and thermal efficiencies, was in the range of 49.44% to 71.54% and it increased as the air mass flow rate increased. The maximum value of average overall efficiency during the test period was found to be 71.54% at an air mass flow rate of 0.07698 kg/s. From the results, it was confirmed that the newly designed PV/T air collector provides a significant enhancement in solar energy utilization.
Highlights
IntroductionThe PV (photovoltaic) module is one of the most widely used renewable systems and it has gained fast growth globally
The PV module is one of the most widely used renewable systems and it has gained fast growth globally
PV/T air air collector collector used used in in this this study study is is aa newly newly designed designed collector, collector, which which has has aa single-pass single-pass double-flow double-flow air air channel channel and and non-uniform non-uniform cross-section cross-section transverse transverse rib rib at at the the back back sheet sheet of of the the PV
Summary
The PV (photovoltaic) module is one of the most widely used renewable systems and it has gained fast growth globally. It can convert 12–18% of the incident solar energy into useful electrical energy depending on its type and operating conditions. Most of the incident solar energy either reflected or turn into thermal energy. This thermal energy dissipated into the atmosphere or leads to an increase in the temperature of the PV module, which reduces its efficiency. The PV/T solar collector consists of a PV module and a solar thermal collector The cooling mediums such as air and water in the solar thermal collector extract heat from the PV module, which reduces its temperature. In addition to this, heated fluid can be used to provide thermal energy for hot water supply, space heating, and so on
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