Photovoltaic Thermal Collector Research Articles

Thermodynamic modeling and performance analysis of photovoltaic-thermal collectors integrated with phase change materials: Comprehensive energy and exergy analysis

Phase change materials (PCMs) integrated with photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors can simultaneously generate and store electrical and thermal energy. However, design optimization requires accurate modeling of the complex heat transfer processes in PCMs under varying operating conditions. This study introduces an efficient simulation approach with generalized Nusselt number correlations to enable precise and rapid analysis of PCM thermal performance. A numerical model is developed to quantify heat fluxes, node temperatures, energy and exergy outputs across PCM solid, melting, and liquid states. Extensive analysis is conducted to explore the impact of irradiation, ambient temperature, PCM thickness, tilt angle, and wind speed on PVT performance. Key findings include: (1) thermal energy yield exceeds electrical output by 2.8 times owing to PV's low efficiency, while electrical exergy dominates thermal exergy by 5.3 times highlighting electric output's primacy; (2) electrical output chiefly depends on irradiation, while thermal energy and exergy are highly sensitive to ambient temperature and wind speed; (3) thermal energy escalates 4.5 times faster than electrical energy with irradiation rise, but thermal exergy drops sharply from 10.1 to 0.34 W as ambient temperature increases from 0 to 35 °C due to quality factor degradation. The study provides new generalized correlations, validated model, and extensive performance assessment to advance PCM-based PVT collector design.

Active heating of greenhouse integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal system with series connected semitransparent photovoltaic thermal air collectors

In order to fulfill the demand of energy and food security, active heating of controlled environment greenhouse integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (GiSPVT) system with N-semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (SPVT) air collector for cold climatic condition has been analyzed in this paper. The proposed SPVT air collectors are connected in series and integrated with GiSPVT. It is used to generate thermal as well electrical energy to meet daily requirement of users. Based on energy balance equation which is a function of design and climatic parameters, an analytical expression for various variable parameters namely plant, room air and solar cell temperatures have been derived. Numerical computation has been made in Matlab for computing thermal, electrical and overall exergy of the proposed system. Based on numerical computation, the following observations have been made: (i) From thermal point of view, the packing factor (0.5, 0.8) of semitransparent PV module plays an important role and it has to be optimized for maximum thermal heating. (ii) The selection of number of collector N is an important parameter to generate electrical energy as well as thermal heating of GiSPVT room air in an optimum way.

Energy, exergy and sustainability analysis of a photovoltaic-thermal solar system with nano-enhancement and thermal energy storage integration

As a result of using various energy sources such as fossil fuels, harmful gases emerge and endanger the world's future. The search for different energy sources is to diminish the dangers that may arise in the future. Renewable energy sources are also the most basic for a sustainable future. This study aims to increase the performance of photovoltaic thermal collectors (PVT), which are used to obtain thermal energy from solar energy and produce electrical energy. The novelties of this experimental work are the analysis of a combination of a solar air heater and thermal energy storage via a phase change material technology and surface modifications on absorber plates, including a nanotechnological amendment. Furthermore, the adverse impacts on the environment of the manufactured systems were taken into account with the help of such parameters as waste exergy ratio and sustainability index. Initially, PVT with a V-grooved absorber surface (V-PVT) was built. In the second stage, nano-enhanced V-grooved PVT (NE/V-PVT) was produced, in which the absorber plate was coated by graphene nanoparticles. Then, a thermal energy storage entity was mounted onto the system, and the V-grooved PVT with the thermal energy storage entity (TS/V-PVT) was developed. 40 W absorber fans were used to provide airflow in these manufactured collectors. In addition, Styrofoam insulation material was used for the collector case, and a low-cost system was designed. Simultaneous experiments for each PVT were carried out. The waste exergy ratio (WER) and the sustainability index (SI) were also considered. Based on the experimental results, thermal efficiency was calculated as 40.60%, 54.01%, and 53.90% for V-PVT, NE/V-PVT, and TS/V-PVT, respectively. Furthermore, the coefficient of performance (COP) values were obtained as 2.67 for V-PVT, 4.28 for NE/V-PVT, and 3.49 for TS/V-PVT. The findings illustrated that nano-coating and V-grooved modifications on solar collectors substantially increased the system performance.

Numerical Investigation of PV/T System by Using Graphene Based Nanofluids

The effective use of solar radiation can be maximized by the implementation of a novel hybrid device referred to as a photovoltaic thermal collector (PV/T), which has the capability to simultaneously generate both electrical and thermal energy. As temperature increases, the efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) cell drops. The present work employs graphene nanofluids as a means to decrease the temperature of the system in order to evaluate the photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) performance. The PV/T system is subjected to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, wherein graphene nanofluids of different volume concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) and mass flow rates (0.065, 0.075, and 0.085 kg/s) are employed. The PV/T system demonstrated enhanced performance as a result of the implementation of the proposed approach, which effectively reduced the temperature of the solar cell during the period of maximum solar radiation, spanning from 9 AM to 4 PM. The utilization of the system was employed for the generation of thermal and electrical energy due to its respective thermal and electrical efficiency of 67% and 11.5%. The completed research has demonstrated that the integration of graphene nanofluids has the potential to enhance the efficiency of PV/T systems.

Advancing solar-powered hybrid FO-MD desalination: Integrating PVT collectors and PCM for sustainable water production in residential building

The global focus on water desalination using solar energy is particularly pronounced today. Previous studies have affirmed the efficiency of the Forward Osmosis (FO) and Membrane Distillation (MD) hybrid desalination system. The Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) solar system, which generates both thermal and electrical energy, is complemented using Phase Change Material (PCM). PCM, known for storing and releasing significant heat during phase change, is used in the evening to meet the thermal needs of the system. Additionally, an integrated battery system stores the electrical energy generated by PVT, ensuring the system's electricity requirements are sustained during the night. A comprehensive numerical model, PVT-PCM-FO-MD, has been developed to analyze the proposed system. Operating seamlessly under natural conditions for a typical day on March, June and September, the proposed system can produce freshwater continuously over a 24-hour period. To assess system performance, three PCM thicknesses (2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm) were employed. Designed for small-scale applications, this system is well-suited for brackish water desalination in remote areas. Notably, the highest water production recorded was 213.25 L during a 24-hour operation and the MD unit exhibited an impressive 83.78 % evaporation efficiency during the typical day on June, with nighttime efficiency reaching 37.07 %, specifically at 3 am, utilizing a 2 cm PCM thickness in the solar energy system and it was 37.22 % at the same hour and PCM thickness in September. This study further explores the impact of initial brackish water salinity on water production after 24 h and investigates the influence of the initial draw solution concentration in the draw tank on desalinated water production. The study found that despite varying initial salinity levels, the difference in water produced at the end of the day was not exceeding 1.6 L.

Techno-economic and environmental investigation between a low-concentrating photovoltaic thermal collector and a regular photovoltaic flat plate thermal collector

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems are highly efficient due to their simultaneous generation of heat and power. To achieve better efficiency of these systems, optimization in design and performance is required. In this research, a thermal flat collector coated with nanoparticles and equipped with concentrators was employed. Flat mirrors were used to reflect more solar radiation and a black graphene nanoparticle coating on the absorber was employed. The primary aim of using this coating is to increase the efficiency of thermal energy production enhancing heat transfer to the harp channels. The harp water channels, welded on the rear side of the absorber, were designed to efficiently pass water flow and absorb heat. To illustrate the performance of this system, it was compared to a regular PV system. A comparison indicated that the low-concentrating PV/T (LCPV/T) system had 41.01% percent more total efficiency than a regular PV/T system. In addition, a 71.90% improvement in the Nusselt number was observed. In this study, both systems were optimized via the Taguchi method in the Minitab software. Moreover, the LCPV/T system showed a 39.15% reduction in emissions and a 2.72-year shorter energy payback time (EPBT) due to the use of effective approaches. The present research involved an experimental performance and optimization comparison between PV/T and LCPV/T systems under constant flow rate conditions at various times of the day.

Performance improvement of photovoltaic-thermal collector equipped with copper metal foam air channel

ABSTRACT Avoiding high temperatures in photovoltaic cells with appropriate cooling is necessary to increase their conversion efficiency. Passive cooling systems using metal foam in the air channel were investigated, but an overall assessment is necessary for its viable application. In this numerical study, the thermal, electrical, and exergy efficiencies, as well as the entropy generation of a PVT are analyzed in the presence of copper metal foam in the air channel. The investigation is performed using a CFD code based on the pressure-based finite volume method. The non-Darcy effects of the porous foam are taken into account. Validation of the numerical model is made by comparison of the numerical predictions with experimental results of the literature. The outcomes indicate that varying the porosity from 1 to 0.89 increases the thermal energy, electrical energy, and exergy efficiency from 44.50% to 67.01%, 10.64% to 11.54%, and 12.01% to 13.19%, respectively, while the entropy generation decreases from 1.3116 W/K to 1.2942 W/K. Furthermore, the optimum thickness of the cooling channel is determined (30 cm for 0.93 copper foam porosity).

Experimental Study of Hybrid Photovoltaic (PV/T) Thermal Solar Collector with Air Cooling for Domestic Use: A Thermal and Electrical Performances Evaluation

Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) collectors convert solar energy into both electrical and thermal energy. This conversion enables the cooling of solar cells while also allowing the produced thermal energy to be used to heat water or space. A hybrid solar panel converts the heat emitted by photovoltaic cells into a transfer fluid (liquid or air), enhancing PV cell efficiency while also producing useful solar heat for household hot water or heating. The heated air extracted from the PV/T collector can be used as a heat source for the building. The paper presents a baffle-based collector for a photovoltaic/thermal system (PVT) to increase output from the system using solar power by comparison with a PVT system without baffles, and its electrical and thermal performance are analysed with the experimental results. Baffles are a solution for optimizing the performance of flat plate solar collectors, which often have low performance. Three typical days from the March 2022 season were chosen and presented as part of this study. For the experiments, two fans were used for air extraction in the PV/T collector, with three speeds chosen: 0.02804 m3/s, 0.0082 m3/s, and 0.016 m3/s, respectively. The variation in thermal and electrical efficiencies of PV/T solar collectors has been calculated for the three tests of March 3, 4, and 5, 2022. The results indicated that the thermal and electrical efficiencies of the PV/T collector were on average 86% and about 9%, respectively, and the thermal efficiency improved by 22% compared with a PV/T collector without baffles in the absorber.

Experimental study on a solar-powered cogeneration system for freshwater and electricity production.

In this study, a photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collector and a stepped solar still system were constructed and integrated. The PVT collector was used to improve the performance of a stepped solar still device. Saltwater enters into the PV-T system and the temperature of the solar panel declines, and then ultimately the efficiency of the PV-T collector increases. After leaving the PVT collector, the temperature of the saltwater increased and was used as a pre-heater for further evaporation in the solar still, which ultimately caused an increase in its efficiency. The more tremendous temperature difference generated between the stepped surface and the glass increases efficiency and produces more freshwater. A flow rate of 7.5 L/hour of saline water was used to study the efficiency of the solar still device and the PVT collector. The value of productivity of solar still system with photovoltaic/thermal collector was 0.76kg/m2 more than that of conventional solar still. Despite the PVT collector, the daily efficiency of the solar still system increased to 34.8%, which shows an increase of 13.9% compared to the passive solar still device. Also, by cooling the PV-T system, the average electrical efficiency has increased from 13.1 to 13.7%. Production power reached 72.46 W from 65.96 W in two consecutive days at 11:15.

Optimal control of a heat pump-based energy system for space heating and hot water provision in buildings: Results from a field test

This paper presents and discusses results from a field test that uses model predictive control (MPC) to optimise the operation of a multi-source heat pump-based energy system for space heating and hot water provision in a building. The objective of the optimisation is to minimise the electricity consumption of the heat pump using flexibility from the heat sources, the space heating and domestic hot water tanks while ensuring end-user comfort and system constraints. The field test was performed in the context of the RES4BUILD project. The integrated system consists of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors, an advanced vapour-compression multi-source heat pump and water buffer tanks for space heating and hot water needs. The heat pump utilises a solar buffer, a borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) and air as heat sources. The solar buffer is supplied with heat from the PVT collectors. The optimal operation of the system is obtained by monitoring and controlling the interactions between the different system components using MPC, taking into account the weather and heat load forecasts. Results have shown that MPC has a potential and added value for the optimal operation of multi-source heat pumps in real-life while considering system constraints and user behaviour to ensure thermal comfort. However, significant effort and expert knowledge are needed to develop the sufficiently accurate system models required by this control approach. The outcomes and conclusions of this work are therefore a basis for further development of such control approaches to improve their replicability and feasibility on a large scale, considering the diverse nature of energy system components in buildings.

Dynamic performance analysis of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector with an extruded absorber using python optimization modeling object (Pyomo)

Solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) integrates photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors in one system for simultaneous electricity and heat production in a reduced area. The absorber type used for heat extraction significantly affects PVT performance. This work examines the performance of an extruded absorber PVT under varying solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed. A detailed dynamic mathematical model is developed from energy balance equations and heat transfer correlations for each layer of the PVT collector. Using orthogonal collocation on the finite difference method, the system of differential equations is discretized and solved numerically with Pyomo, a Python optimization modeling tool. Following validation against literature data, the model is used to predict the temperature of each layer and the thermal and electrical output of the PVT collector. The effect of cooling fluid mass flow rate, solar irradiance intensity, ambient temperature, and wind speed on PVT performance is analyzed. This design provides a maximum electrical efficiency of 15.47 % at a wind velocity of 3 m/s, regardless of the cooling fluid flow rate. Peak electrical power of 212.26 W is achieved at the highest flow rate (14.14 kg/hr) and with the highest wind velocity (3 m/s), while the peak thermal power of 348.03 W occurs at a wind velocity of 1 m/s and a flow rate of 11.31 kg/hr. Compared to the conventional sheet-and-tube design at 1 m/s wind speed and 5.65 kg/hr cooling fluid flow rate, the extruded absorber PVT delivers 203.18 W electrical and 189.27 W thermal power, outperforming the 207.46 W electrical and 128.9 W thermal power of the conventional design, demonstrating the potential of the extruded absorber design for enhancing heat generation.

Thermoeconomic Analysis of a Solar-Assisted Industrial Process Heating System

Thermal energy in the industrial sector for process heating applications in the range of 50 to 250°C consumes about 35% of the global fossil fuel. Cascaded solar thermal systems are promising solutions to meet clean and uninterrupted thermal energy supply for industrial process heating. Well-engineered cascaded arrangement of solar thermal collector (STC) and photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector can attain an average solar fraction of more than 50%. In the present research, a solar-assisted process heating system, wherein a STC integrated in series with PVT, has been designed to produce low- to medium-temperature heat at higher solar fractions. Herein, thermal performance and economic viability of this novel system have been investigated and analyzed methodically. In the present research, a comprehensive TRNSYS simulation model is developed and validated experimentally. Results show that PVT integrated with heat pipe evacuated tube collector (PVT-HPETC) and PVT integrated with flat plate collector (PVT-FPC) system can generate thermal energy as high as 1625 and 1420 W with a thermal efficiency of 81 and 77% and exergy efficiency of 13.22 and 12.72%. Levelized cost of heat (LCOH) for PVT-HPETC at process heat temperatures of 60, 70, and 80°C is 0.214, 0.208, and 0.201 MYR/kWh, respectively. It is worth to note that LCOH is less than the existing cost of heat generation which proves that these systems are economically feasible.

Sustainable off-grid residential heating and desalination: Integration of biomass boiler and solar energy with environmental impact analysis

As global energy demand rises and the environmental impact of fossil fuel-based heating systems becomes increasingly evident, transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and biomass for residential use is imperative. This is further underscored by the growing scarcity of freshwater resources, especially in arid urban environments. This study introduces an innovative off-grid system that effectively integrates a floor heating system with a vapor compression desalination unit. The novelty of this study lies in its approach to combining solar and biomass energies for both heating and desalination in a single off-grid system. The system's electrical and thermal energy needs are met by combining photovoltaic thermal collectors and a biomass boiler. Using TRNSYS software, the system's performance was evaluated in varying design configurations across Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, targeting optimal thermal comfort for a standard residence with four occupants. Results show Riyadh leading in solar fraction at 48.43%, followed by Abu Dhabi (47.23%) and Doha (44.85%). The optimal equivalent heat transfer coefficient for the floor heating system varied notably between these cities, with Abu Dhabi requiring a lower coefficient to achieve thermal comfort. Additionally, a life cycle analysis revealed that the biomass boiler is the predominant source of CO2 emissions, contributing over 70% of the total in each city. Riyadh exhibited the lowest CO2 emissions, attributed to its higher solar fraction. This study demonstrates the system's versatility across different urban climates and its potential to lessen dependence on traditional energy sources, positioning it as a promising solution for future off-grid applications.

Optimizing photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector selection: A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach for renewable energy systems

In the realm of renewable energy systems, the effective selection of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) collectors is important. This study delves into the intricacies of choosing optimal PVT collectors available in the market, emphasizing the utility of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodologies. PVT collectors are differentiated based on various aspects such as their transparent front cover presence and the medium—liquid or air—used for heat transfer. The study methodologically identifies commercially available PVT collectors and establishes key performance indicators for comparison. Using an 11-point fuzzy scale, a weight matrix is determined. Subsequently, advanced MCDM techniques, including PROMETHEE II, TOPSIS, EDAS, and VIKOR, are employed to rank the alternatives. This research not only provides a systematic approach to PVT collector selection but also extends to a MATLAB-based tool for facilitating the process. The results underscore the value of the proposed methodologies in refining the selection of PVT collectors and their potential adaptability to other applications, such as PVT collector design.

Impact of variation in input parameters on energy matrices of dual slope active solar desalting unit

AbstractThis article presents the relationship between energy matrices of a dual slope solar desalting unit integrated with a number (N) of photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors (NPVTFPC‐DSU) and the effect of variation in mass flow rate and N for a sustainable solar distillation. Although extensive research has been done on dual slope active solar desalting unit, however, the area of the impact of variation in and N on energy matrices of NPVTFPC‐DSU remains still untouched. This study is an attempt to bridge the gap that has been highlighted. An exhaustive analysis is performed considering all types of climatic situations of New Delhi, India. MATLAB is used to calculate the overall energy, exergy, and energy matrices for NPVTFPC‐DSU based on fundamental equations and relevant data as inputs. Concludingly, it is evident that there is a decrease in the value of energy payback period and life cycle conversion efficiency as the value of increases at a given value of N for ≤ 0.10 kg s−1. For kg s−1, the values remain constant. For NPVTFPC‐DSU, 6 and 10 are the best and most favorable values of N as far as energy‐based energy matrices and exergy‐based energy matrices are concerned.

Design and theoretical study of new configuration of photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) solar collector

This study aims to compare how well different designs of combined photovoltaic-thermal collectors work in terms of electricity and heat production. One big benefit of photovoltaic-thermal collectors, compared to regular solar panels, is that they cool down the module and make it produce more electricity efficiently. In simple terms, using this method produces heat and electricity in a device, which means one needs less space to install the collector and module. In a recent study, scientists looked at how well different designs of a solar panel that is also used to generate heat performed. They tested using water to keep it cool. To study and understand how different shapes and sizes affect the performance of a solar panel, we used a computer program called MATLAB to create models of the panel. The research shows that the sheet and tube design with a round or rectangular shape is the most efficient in terms of heat and overall performance. Moreover, when a glass cover is present, it causes electricity to be less efficient while making heat efficiency and overall heat energy higher.

Optimal design and orientation of cooling technology for photovoltaic Plants: A comparative simulation study

Continued development in the field of solar photovoltaics requires improvements in cooling technology. Therefore, the present comprehensive simulation study aims to reach the optimal design and orientation of cooling technologies that achieve the highest performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels. To achieve the optimal design and orientation of the cooling channel inlet of air-cooled photovoltaic thermal collectors, seven different designs of cooling techniques distinct for cooling the PV panels from the bottom side were studied, including conventional side cooling (S1), cooling from the bottom through one slot (S2), cooling from the bottom through two slots (S3), cooling from the bottom through three slots (S4), cooling from the side and through one hole (S5), cooling from the side and through two holes (S6), and cooling from the side and through three holes (S7). Outcomes presented that the second scenario S2 is the optimal one, where the air outlet temperature is 315.9 K and the thermal efficiency is 14.6 %. In the second part of the study, the influences of air flowing (with Re varying between 1000 and 5500) on the performance of PV panels for two distinct scenarios (S1 and S2) were studied. According to simulation studies, using situations S1 and S2, the outlet temperatures are 318.26 K and 319.14 K, respectively, with Re = 1072 and Gr = 8.74E5. Also, S2 has a considerable thermal efficiency advantage over S1. The highest thermal efficiency for S1 and S2 is 51 % and 59 %, respectively, for Gr = 8.74E5 and Re = 5432 with an improvement of 15.68 %.

Performance boost of an integrated photovoltaic-thermal and solar thermal collectors using minichannel heat sink: Energy, exergy, and environmental analysis

This case study investigates the enhancement of thermo-electric efficiency of an integrated photovoltaic-thermal and solar thermal collectors through the utilization of a minichannel heat sink. The integration of a photovoltaic-thermal collector and a solar thermal collector forms a cohesive system designed to minimize heat loss and streamline the external connection process. The energy, exergy, and environmental analysis of the integrated system are numerically investigated and compared by four solar systems including a photovoltaic module, solar thermal collector, photovoltaic-thermal collector, and simple channel-based integrated system. The results of energy analysis show that among the five investigated systems, the maximum electrical and thermal power is obtained using minichannel-based integrated systems, which are 0.8 % and 55.8 % higher than those of photovoltaic-thermal systems, respectively. By using minichannels instead of the simple channel, the electrical and thermal exergy of the integrated system increases by 0.80 % and 7.16 %, respectively. The greater effect of the solar radiation on the systems’ performance than other operating parameters is found from the results so the total power of the minichannel-based integrated systems increases by 245.39 W, by increasing the radiation rate from 700 W/m2 to 1100 W/m2. The annual CO2 mitigation of the integrated system, in term of energy, is 11.54 tCO2/annum, which is 81.5 % and 56.8 % more than photovoltaic module and solar thermal collector, respectively.

Mitigating PV cell cracking in solar photovoltaic thermal collectors with a novel H-pattern absorber design

This paper introduces a novel absorber design for a Solar Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) collector, specifically addressing the persistent issue of cell cracking induced by thermal expansion. Despite considerable research efforts to advance PVT technology, cell cracking remains a critical challenge, contributing to decreased collector efficiency. In contrast to previous studies, this research adopts a unique approach. A novel PVT design is proposed, featuring an aluminium alloy structure with a distinctive 'H'-shaped pattern of expansion cavities positioned between Photovoltaic (PV) cells and the absorber. This innovative design is engineered to mitigate thermal expansion and optimize the overall performance of the collector.A 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamic model, simulated using ANSYS software, validates the proposed PVT design against experimental data from a reference collector. A parametric study explores various H-pattern cavity dimensions, revealing that the 2 mm H-pattern plate cavity design achieves the lowest directional expansion, minimizing the risk of breakage. Results show that the proposed design outperforms the reference collector by 10 %, 2 %, and 8 % in thermal, electrical, and overall efficiency, respectively. Furthermore, the H-pattern design reduces thermal expansion by 20 %, enhancing structural resilience and minimizing the likelihood of PV cell cracking. This study represents a significant advancement in PVT technology, providing a practical and easily implementable solution to the critical issue of cell cracking and presenting an optimal design for real-world applications.

Artificial neural networks based computational and experimental evaluation of thermal and drying performance of partially covered PVT solar dryer

This study proposes a mixed-mode dryer with a semi-transparent photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector for the assessment of drying and thermal performance using computational and experimental findings. The thermal behavior and fluid flow characteristics have been analyzed to optimize the air flow rate in the PVT solar dryer by considering three different inlet velocities of 0.048 m/s (Case 1), 0.096 m/s (Case 2), and 0.144 m/s (Case 3). The temperature distribution is obtained more uniformly for the PVT collector and dryer cabin in Case 2. The results of the investigation show that Case 3 has a positive impact on the PVT solar dryer performance. In numerical and experimental methods, the enhanced thermal efficiency is attained as 30.78% and 29.78% for Case 2, and 33.20% and 31.14% for Case 3, respectively, in comparison to Case 1. Case 3 has improved Reynolds and Nussselt numbers by 3.06 and 2.45 times, respectively compared to Case 1. Experimental results varied by 2.24 to 4.90% from simulated outcomes obtained from CFD. The machine learning approach of ANN has been implemented with different hidden layers network models to choose the best drying conditions by predicting the drying performance parameters.