Solar energy harvesting from the photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) pavement: Energy performance analyses and comparison considering ground influence

Abstract

Under the carbon neutrality targets, the easy-installation low-investment photovoltaic (PV) technology is vital, while the limited urban rooftop area and high building façade cost limit the onsite PV installation. Thus, harvesting solar energy from the road, namely pavement-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (PIPV(T)) technology, is promising. The 2D finite element PIPV(T) models are proposed and verified through the field test within 3% (cell temperature) and 7% (PV output) mean absolute percentage error. The parametric analyses on system designs (water tank volume, water velocity, water inlet temperature), weather conditions (solar irradiance, wind velocity), and ground boundary condition influence are conducted. The water inlet temperature acts as a minor factor, while tank volume and fluid velocity are crucial, i.e., a 32.76% thermal efficiency increase for a 125 L tank volume increase. Results show that over 0.2 L/s water flow rate is recommended for a 100 L water tank, and the solar irradiance increase adds to the thermal efficiency to 41.47% under 1000 W/m2 with 11.38% ground influence. The annual system performances for southern and northern metropolises are compared, with water tank variation considered. Results show that a small water tank leads to high temperature and low system thermal efficiency at 9.3% and 12.17% in Hong Kong and Beijing.