Performance investigation of a hybrid PV/T collector with a novel trapezoidal fluid channel

Abstract

The photovoltaic-thermal collector (PV/T) is an innovative technology that combines PV cells and solar thermal collectors into a co-generation unit, enabling full-spectrum solar utilization. This research proposes and examines a hybrid PV/T system with novel trapezoidal fluid channels embedded in graphite, arranged in a parallel S-shaped structure under outdoor conditions of Beijing. Parametric discussions and daily performance analysis are conducted to assess its effectiveness and stability. A daily average of 12.7 °C reduction in cell temperature compared to PV modules results in a relative 5.20 % improvement in electrical output under the intensity of solar radiation is 597 W/m2. Similarly, the peak temperature of the water tank reaches 56.9 °C, and thermal efficiency is enhanced by 7.86 % over conventional sheet-tube PV/T collectors. For further optimization, a constrained adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm (EPF-APSO) is constructed based on the experimental data, implementing a variable water flow rate (VWV) strategy. Compared to a constant water flow rate (CWV), the overall energy collected varies from 2.755 to 2.828 kWh per day, potentially reducing pump energy consumption by 17.93 %. The contribution of this paper provides references on structural and operational parameters optimization of PV/T collectors applying machine learning algorithms for better comprehensive efficiency.