Photovoltaic Thermal Flat Plate Collectors Research Articles

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.

Experimental assessment of a solar photovoltaic-thermal system in a livestock farm in Italy

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the performance of a solar photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system in a swine farm at Mirandola in Italy. In this project named RES4LIVE, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, a PVT system is installed to replace fossil fuel consumption in one of the barns on the farm. The electrical energy from the collectors is utilized to operate the heat pump and provide electricity to the barn, whereas the thermal energy from the collector is stored in a borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) for further use by a 35 kW heat pump. The hybrid solar field consists of 24 covered PVT flat plate collectors (7.68 kWel and 25 kWth) with a total aperture area of 39.3 m2, which can increase the temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) to up to 40 °C. The PVT system is connected to a modular solar central (SC) with a standardized design that can also be used for other similar applications. The hybrid solar system complemented by energy storage is expected to save approximately 20,850 kg CO2/year. The data collected from the PVT system, SC, and BTES are rigorously analyzed to evaluate its overall performance. A comprehensive performance assessment reveals the capability of the solar system to reduce carbon emissions and effectively replace fossil fuel consumption in the agricultural sector.

Effect of dissimilarity of N and mass flow rate on yearly overall energy, exergy, and efficiency of PVT-FPC included dual-slope solar desalting units

Abstract This research paper investigates the impact of variation in the number of collectors (N) and mass flow rate (ṁfr) on yearly overall energy, exergy, and efficiency of a dual-slope solar desalting unit incorporated with N number of photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors (NPVT-FPC-DSU). The denouement of this research work will be useful for the designer and installer of such a system in deciding the number of collectors according to the requirement. An exhaustive calculation is carried out considering all four kinds of climatic conditions in each month of the year for the weather of New Delhi, India. Fundamental equations of NPVT-FPC-DSU and all pertinent sets of values have been dined to the data processing code developed in MATLAB to estimate annual freshwater production, energy, thermal and electrical exergies, overall energy, exergy, and efficiency. Finally, values of these parameters except annual overall electrical energy recede with the augmentation in ṁfr value, and they become approximately constant exceeding ṁfr value of 0.10 kg/s. Conversely, an increase in the values of the above-mentioned parameters has been obtained with the increase in the value of N. Moreover, the optimum value of N is found to be 4 and 8 from yearly overall energy and exergy efficiency viewpoints, respectively.

A sensitivity study for n similar partly enclosed with photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors having series connection

A sensitivity study for N similar partly enclosed with photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors with a series connection (N-PVT-FPCs) has been carried out in this research study. The analysis has been done for a typical day of May, wherein data for the ambient conditions of New Delhi (India) has been received from the India metrological department (IMD), Pune, India. In addition, further computational work has been carried out on the MATLAB programme for the daily heat gain of N-PVT-FPCs. One-at-a-time (OAT) methodology has been used for the sensitivity analysis. From the sensitivity analysis, it has been found that the heat gain from the proposed system is more sensitive with respect to the number of collectors (N) followed by inclination angle, mass flow rate (MFR) and packing factor (PF). The sensitivity figure has been found to be 0.08, 0.17, 0.25 and 0.94 for daily heat gain of N-PVT-FPCs with respect to PF, MFR, inclination angle and N, respectively.

A comprehensive study on the effect of variation of flow rate of fluid and N on energy metrics of N similar photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors integrated single slope solar still

A comprehensive study on the effect of variation of flow rate of fluid and N on energy metrics of N similar photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors integrated single slope solar still

An investigation on dissimilarity of mass flow rate and N on exergo-enviro-economic parameters for solar still of single slope type integrated with N similar PVT flat plate collectors having series connection

This paper investigates analytically the effect of dissimilarity of mass flow rate [Formula: see text] and number of collectors (N) on exergo-enviro-economic parameters for solar still of single slope type integrated with N similar photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors having series connection (NPVTFPC-SS) keeping water depth as 0.14m. All four kinds of weather conditions for New Delhi have been taken for the computation of different parameters. All relevant equations obtained using energy balance equations for all components of the system have been fed to a computer code inscribed in MATLAB-2015a for computing different parameters. The computation of different relevant parameters has been performed for various values of [Formula: see text] and N while keeping water depth as constant to know the effect of variation of [Formula: see text] and N on exergo-enviro-economic parameters for NPVTFPC-SS. It has been concluded that the value of carbon credit earned, enviroeconomic and exegoeconomic parameters, and productivity diminishes with the enhancement in [Formula: see text] at given N. The optimum value of N for given value of [Formula: see text] has been found to be 10 from exergoeconomic parameter viewpoint and 6 from productivity viewpoint.

An investigation on effect of variation of mass flow rate and number of collectors on yearly efficiency of single slope solar still by incorporating N similar photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors

Abstract The effect of variation of mass flow rate and number of collectors (N) on the yearly efficiency of a single slope solar still by incorporating series connected N similar photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors (NPVTFPCSS) has been investigated, keeping a constant water depth in basin as 0.14 m. The various parameters have been calculated, taking into account all four types of weather conditions for New Delhi using computing code developed in MATLAB-2015a. All equations and required data have been fed to the computing code for evaluating different relevant parameters. It has been concluded that the value of all types of annual efficiencies, except annual electrical efficiency, diminishes with increase in the value of at a selected value of N until = 0.10 kg/s and then becomes almost constant. Optimal values of N from annual overall exergy efficiency and annual overall thermal efficiency viewpoints have been found as four and ten respectively.

Influence of dissimilarity of water depth on performance of N alike photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors included with double slope solar still: a comparative study

Influence of dissimilarity of water depth on performance of N alike photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors included with double slope solar still: a comparative study

Effect of inclination on internal heat and mass transfer of active solar still having conical condensing cover

The present paper deals with a photovoltaic thermal-flat plate collector (PVT-FPC) integrated solar still having conical shaped condensing cover. On the basis of basic energy balance equations, analytical expressions for various performance parameters have been derived in the terms of design and climatic parameters. The mathematical computation have been executed on MATLAB for a typical day of March month of New Delhi climate condition. The effect of inclination of condensing cover of active solar still on the internal heat transfer in terms of of convective, radiative and evaporative heat transfer coefficient, and the mass transfer in terms of yield of the proposed system have been studied in details. From the present findings, it is observed that the internal heat transfer coefficient depends significantly on the inclination of condensing cover of the proposed model. Furthermore, it is found that the proposed system produced the maximum yield of 6.79 kg/m2 day at 60° inclination of conical condensing cover.

Active Heating of Outdoor Swimming Pool Water Using Different Solar Collector Systems

Abstract In this communication, a theoretical thermal model has been developed by using basic energy balance equation for outdoor swimming pool in terms of design and climatic parameters. An analytical expression for swimming pool water temperature has been obtained to optimize the design parameters to get an optimum temperature of swimming pool by using solar energy. For general analysis, an integration of photo-voltaic thermal (PVT)-compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors with swimming pool water has been proposed along with special cases, namely, (i) evacuated tube collectors, (ii) conventional flat plate collectors (FPCs), (iii) CPC–FPCs, and (iv) PVT flat plate collectors. Numerical computations have been carried out for cold climatic condition of Srinagar, India. The effect of sensitive parameters on thermal and electrical performance of swimming pool has also been carried out.

Exergy analysis of N-photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (N-PVT-CPC) collector for constant collection temperature for vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR) system

In the present paper, the operating parameters of N-fully covered semitransparent photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) collector for constant collection temperature mode have been analyzed on the basis of an overall exergy analysis. The proposed system for a given design and climatic parameters will be applicable to the vapor absorption refrigeration system. The analyses are based on basic energy balance of each components, namely, solar cell, absorber plate, concentrator, flowing fluid, etc. Numerical computations have been carried out for New Delhi climatic condition by using MATLAB R2015a. The performance of the proposed system has also been compared with the performance of photovoltaic thermal-flat plate collector (PVT-FPC), conventional flat plate-compound parabolic concentrator (FPC-CPC) and conventional flat plate collector (FPC). Following conclusions have been made:(i)An overall exergy of N-fully covered semitransparent PVT-CPC system decreases with the increase in constant collection temperature,(ii)An overall thermal energy of N-fully covered semitransparent PVT-CPC system increases with the decrease in packing factor (βc) and.(iii)PVT-CPC and PVT-FPC with fully covered semitransparent are self-sustained collectors to be used for vapor absorption refrigeration system.The proposed system will be most appropriate for vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR) systems.

Analytical Study of Thermo-Physical Performance of Nanofluid Loaded Hybrid Double Slope Solar Still

In the present paper, efforts has been made to study the thermophysical performance (properties) of N photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors coupled with double slope solar still (N-PVT-FPC-DSSS) and operating with helically coiled heat exchanger. The analysis has been performed for the optimized concentration of NPs (Al2O3 0.107%; TiO2 0.093%; and CuO 0.131%) and optimized basin fluid (base fluid/nanofluid) mass (50 kg) for different weather conditions of the month May (New Delhi). The Nusselt number (Nu) and Rayleigh number (Ra) are functions of thermophysical properties of nanofluids and strongly influence the natural convective heat transfer coefficient in the solar still. Therefore, these numbers have also been investigated for base fluid and Al2O3, TiO2, and CuO–water-based nanofluids in detail. Significant enhancement in natural convective heat transfer coefficient (Al2O3 67.03%; TiO2 63.56%; and CuO 71.23%) and Nusselt number (Al2O3 119.72%; TiO2 98.64%; CuO 151.62%) has been observed. The monthly productivity of the hybrid system found to be higher by using nanofluids (320.77 kg TiO2; 338.23 kg Al2O3, and 355.46 CuO) as expected from the heat transfer results. Moreover, the comparative study between the proposed hybrid system and passive DSSS has been carried out.

Energy matrices, exergo-economic and enviro-economic analysis of an active single slope solar still integrated with a heat exchanger: A comparative study

This paper presents an analysis of energy matrices, production cost of water and electricity, exergo-economic and enviro-economic analyses of an active single slope solar still integrated with a heat exchanger under optimized conditions on the bases of energy and exergy. Analyses have been done considering four climatic conditions (a, b, c and d) for each month of year for three cases: (i) N – partially covered Photovoltaic Thermal Flat Plate Collectors Single Slope Solar Still (Partially – PVT – FPC – SS – SS), (ii) N – fully covered Photovoltaic Thermal Flat Plate Collectors Single Slope Solar Still (Fully – PVT – FPC – SS – SS) and (iii) N – Flat Plate Collector Single Slope Solar Still (FPC – SS – SS). We report that the cost of potable water is lowest for case (i) followed by case (iii) and then case (ii) at the interest rate of 2% and 5%. However, case (ii) performs better for electricity generation followed by case (i) and the computed kWh per unit cost (exergo-economic parameter) based on energy is highest for case (ii) i.e. 1.73 kWh/₹.

Enhancement in Exergoeconomic and Enviroeconomic Parameters for Single Slope Solar Still by Incorporating N Identical Partially Covered Photovoltaic Collectors

This paper deals with the enhancement in exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters for single-slope solar still by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. Three cases: (a) single slope solar still incorporating N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collectors (FPC) (N-PVT-FPC-SS), (b) single slope solar still incorporating N identical partially covered PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-SS), and (c) conventional single slope solar still (CSSSS) have been taken to assess the improvement in various parameters. The various parameters have been computed at 0.14 m water depth, selected values of mass flow rate, and number of collectors considering four climatic conditions of New Delhi for each month of year. It has been concluded that N-PVT-FPC-SS performs best followed by N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSSSS on the basis of exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters; however, CSSSS performs better than N-PVT-FPC-SS and N-PVT-CPC-SS on the basis of productivity measured in terms of ratio of monetary value of output and input. The kWh per unit cost based on exergoeconomic parameter is higher by 45.11% and 47.37%; environmental cost is higher by 65.74% and 90.02%; however, the output per unit input based on productivity is higher by 12.09% and lower by 26.83% for N-PVT-FPC-SS than N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSSSS, respectively.

Improved Hottel-Whillier-Bliss equation for N-photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (N-PVT-CPC) collector

In this communication, an attempt has been made to develop modified Hottel-Whillier-Bliss (HWB) equation for N-number of fully covered photovoltaic thermal- compound parabolic concentrator (N-PVT-CPC) collector. The Analysis is based on basic energy balance equations for each component of the system as a function of design and climatic parameters. Developed modified Hottel-Whillier-Bliss (HWB) equation is applicable for various configurations namely conventional flat plate-compound parabolic concentrator (FPC-CPC), fully covered photovoltaic thermal-flat plate collectors (PVT-FPC) and conventional flat plate collectors (FPC) as a special case. The characteristic curve for thermal and electrical efficiency has also been developed for all cases considered in the present paper. Further, an experimental validation for N = 1 has also been carried out under indoor simulation condition.

Improving the performance of single slope solar still by including N identical PVT collectors

This paper communicates the improvement in performance of single slope solar still (SS) by including N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. Three models have been considered namely, SS included with N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC-SS); SS included with N identical partially covered PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-SS) and conventional SS (CSS). In this work, yearly production of potable water, energy, exergy, energy metrics, cost of distillate output and cogeneration efficiency have been computed for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-SS at 0.14 m water depth under optimized condition for New Delhi, India. Results obtained have been compared with results reported by researchers previously and it has been concluded that exergy based energy payback time is lower by 89.90% and 44.45%; energy production factor is higher by 46.67% and 31.11%; life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 56.25% and 37.50% and production cost of potable water is lower by 27.05% and 3.20% for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-SS than N-PVT-CPC-SS and CSS respectively. The proposed system can produce potable water on commercial scale and at the same time, it can meet DC electrical power need.

Analytical Characteristic Equation of N Identical Evacuated Tubular Collectors Integrated Double Slope Solar Still

In this paper, analytical expression for characteristic equation of double slope solar still (DS) included with series connected N identical evacuated tubular collectors (N-ETC-DS) has been developed. The derivation is based on fundamental energy balance equations for various components of the proposed system. The analytical result of the proposed N-ETC-DS has been compared with results reported by earlier researchers for the same basin area under similar climatic condition. It has been concluded that daily energy efficiency is higher by 23.90%, 26.45%, and 42.65% for N-ETC-DS than N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) compound parabolic concentrator collectors (CPC) integrated double slope solar still, N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collectors (FPC) integrated double slope solar still, and conventional double slope solar still (CDS), respectively, at 0.14 m water depth under optimized condition. Moreover, daily yield, exergy, energy and exergy efficiency have been computed.

Review on series connected photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems: Analytical and experimental studies

The solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most promising and fastest growing renewable energy technologies which will play a primary role for electricity production in future. Photovoltaic thermal systems or renewable energy systems (RE) on harvesting an ample source of (solar) energy are the viable option (economically and environmentally) for various applications in developing and under developing countries. In recent times, intensive research work has been performed on RE systems to improve their performance in order to preserve the limited fossil fuels. Aim of the present review is to explore the assess of energy and economic performance of various RE systems viz. N photovoltaic thermal flat plate collector (N-PVT-FPC) (water and air), N photovoltaic thermal compound parabolic concentrator (N-PVT-CPC) water collector, N-PVT-FPC solar still, PVT greenhouse dryer, and building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BiPVT) (rooftop and façade) system. The thermal modeling of all these RE systems have been carried out and simulated to investigate their performance for the requirement of overall primary energy (thermal and electrical energy). Also, different solar cell technologies and recent techniques to improve solar thermal systems have been highlighted. It has been observed that SPV integrated solar thermal systems are self-sustained and more economical in rural sectors.

Analytical characteristic equation of nanofluid loaded active double slope solar still coupled with helically coiled heat exchanger

Nanofluids are embryonic fluids and promising thermal energy carrier in solar thermal applications due to their superior thermo-physical and optical properties. In present communication, an analytical expression of the characteristic equation of two different systems viz. (A) active double slope solar still coupled with series connected partially covered N photovoltaic thermal flat plate collectors (N-PVT-FPC) and operating without helical heat exchanger; and (B) active double slope solar still coupled with series connected partially covered N-PVT-FPC and operating with helical heat exchanger has been developed. Analysis has been executed for 0.25% concentration of CuO, Al2O3, TiO2-metallic nanoparticles; four number of collectors; 100kg basin fluid (BF/NF) mass and 0.03kg/s mass flow rate. The maximum values of instantaneous gain thermal energy efficiency (CuO80.18%;Al2O371.67%;TiO274.92%) and instantaneous loss thermal energy efficiency (CuO64.12%;Al2O359.11%;TiO264.77%) of the system (A) are found to be significantly higher in comparison the basefluid (gain66.81%;loss52.42%). The productivity of system (A) and system (B) are (CuO32%;Al2O319.23%;TiO26.47%) and (CuO31.49%;Al2O326.4%;TiO27.26%) respectively, higher in comparison to the case using basefluid (water). Moreover, thermal energy and exergy; and thermal exergy efficiency has been evaluated for both the systems.

Enhancement in energy metrics of double slope solar still by incorporating N identical PVT collectors

In this paper, double slope solar still has been analyzed by incorporating N identical partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors under optimized condition to assess the enhancement in energy metrics. Number of collectors, mass flow rate and water depth of N identical partially covered PVT flat plate collector (N-PVT-FPC-DS) have been optimized for climatic condition of New Delhi. Subsequently, annual distillate output, energy, exergy, energy metrics, cogeneration efficiency and cost of distillate output have been computed for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS at 0.14m water depth. Results obtained have been compared with results reported by previous researchers and it has been concluded that the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS performs better than double slope solar still incorporated with N identical PVT compound parabolic concentrator collectors (N-PVT-CPC-DS) and conventional double slope solar still (CDSSS) on the basis of energy metrics and cost of distillate output. The exergy based energy payback time is lower by 74.66% and 62.62%; energy production factor is higher by 43.30% and 38.14%; life cycle conversion efficiency is higher by 48.57% and 48.57% and cost of distillate output is lower by 35.37% and 4.88% for the proposed N-PVT-FPC-DS than N-PVT-CPC-DS and CDSSS respectively.