Thermal Features of the Module with Parabolic-Cylindric Solar Irradiation Concentrator

Abstract

The work researched the thermal performance of the photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) cogeneration module with solar radiation parabolic-cylindrical concentrator. The advantage of this cogeneration module design is the possibility of both photovoltaic power generation and obtaining the thermal energy. These factors allow to increase the overall efficiency of solar energy conversion and to reduce the cost of produced energy. Research of PVT module thermal power characteristics using mathematical modeling of thermal processes and experimental measurements was carried out. Theoretical analysis of the module operation was based on the balance of incoming (solar), power dissipation, and utilizable energy flows and using similarity numbers (Nusselt, Prandtl, Reynolds). Experimental characteristics were studied under natural solar radiation. Parameters calculated by the balance of energy flows were consistent with the experimental data and have compliance with the accuracy better than 10% with similarity numbers calculations. The solar module showed in the experiment the maximum thermal power of 205 watts at 40 oC and thermal efficiency of 60%; when the water output temperature was 60 oC, the module delivers maximum output of 167 watts with thermal efficiency of 47 %.