Thermo-economic analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system for different configuration settings

Abstract

Solar energy can be harvested thorough solar PV (SPV) conversion as well as solar thermal energy conversion. A hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system has the capability to convert solar energy into both electricity and thermal energy simultaneously. These systems can provide the heating demand of buildings while generating electricity, which becomes ideal for building applications of urban energy systems. Performance analysis of such systems becomes essential to design PVT systems matching with the operating conditions. In this study, a thermo-economic model is developed to evaluate sensitivity of design, operating and climatic parameters for a hybrid PV/T system. Five main configurations of the PV/T system are considered based on the heat transfer fluid and the arrangements of glass and Tedlar layers of PV/T collector. The effect of the packing factor of the PV/T collector on the behaviour of thermal and electrical efficiency and the sensitivity of heat transfer fluids (water and air) were analysed using the thermal model. Subsequently, effect of temperature coefficient on the performance of PV/T collectors in terms of efficiency are studied for five different types of PV cells (i.e. m-Si, a-Si, p-Si, CdTe, CIS, HIT).