Performance optimization of a photovoltaic/thermal collector using microencapsulated phase change slurry

In a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector, a portion of absorbed solar energy is transformed into electrical energy, and the remaining part is transformed into thermal energy. Increasing waste heat collection and energy conversion rates are important to improve the performance of the PV/T collector. The utilization of microencapsulated phase change slurry (MPCS) in a PV/T collector to cool photovoltaic modules is an effective way, and electrical and thermal performances of the collector are improved. To investigate influences of operating parameters on performances of PV/T collector, numerical simulation is put into effect to analyze influences of the mass fraction of MPCS on the collector performance. The influences of MPCS mass flow rate and collector channel height on collector performances are also studied. When the flow rate is 0.005 kg/s and the channel height is 0.010 m, the PV/T collector obtains the best net efficiency with a MPCS mass concentration of 20 wt%. But electrical efficiency difference between 15 and 20 wt% is not obvious. With the growth in mass fraction, PV temperature drops more and more slowly because outlet fluid has not fully melt. Take PV/T collector performances into consideration, 15 wt% MPCS is a better choice to cool photovoltaic modules.     

Advances in liquid based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors

In order to get more power and heat from PV/T system, it is necessary to cool the PV cell and decrease its temperature. This is not an easy task especially in hot and humid climate areas. There is a lack of an effective cooling strategy of PV/T panels. The liquid based photovoltaic thermal collector systems are practically more desirable and effective than air based systems. Temperature fluctuation in liquid based PV/T is much less than the air based PV/T collectors which subjected to variation in solar radiation levels. In this study a review of the available literature on PV/T collector systems which utilize water and refrigerant (working fluid) as heat removal medium for different applications has been conducted. Future direction of water-cooled and refrigerant hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems was presented. This study revealed that the direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump system achieved better cooling effect of the PV/T collector.     

基于相变微胶囊悬浮液的太阳能光伏热系统的研究进展

在太阳能光伏热系统中,光伏电池温度过高会导致太阳能发电效率下降。相变微胶囊悬浮液(MEPCMS)是一种潜热型功能性流体,将其作为冷却介质用于太阳能光伏热系统可以有效降低光伏电池温度,提高系统的能量利用率。针对相变微胶囊易泄露、导热性差等问题提出了改性方法,使其具有光热转换功能并提升了综合性能。基于性能评价指标分析了太阳能光伏热系统性能的影响因素。结果发现,流速、浓度和太阳辐照量是影响MEPCMS在太阳能光伏热系统中换热性能的关键因素。适当增加MEPCMS浓度和流速能提高工质的换热性能,在降低光伏板温度的同时增加太阳辐照量和系统热电产量,但需结合太阳辐照量大小合理匹配工质的浓度和流速。未来研究方向可集中在提升MEPCMS在太阳能光伏热系统中的换热性能、探究运行参数和太阳辐照量之间的匹配关系、优化集热器结构、利用其蓄热性解决太阳能间歇性等方面。     

Performance improvement of PV/T solar collectors with natural air flow operation

The electrical efficiency of a photovoltaic system drops as its operating temperature rises and PV cooling is necessary. The photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system is a relatively recent type of solar collector where a circulating fluid of lower temperature than PV module extracts heat from it, cooling the module to improve its output power while the solar pre-heated fluid provides sensible heat. In the present work, air cooling of a commercial PV module configured as PV/T air solar collector by natural flow is presented, where two low cost modification techniques to enhance heat transfer to air stream in the air channel are studied. The considered methods consist of thin metal sheet suspended at the middle or fins attached to the back wall of the air-channel to improve heat extraction from the module. A numerical model was developed and validated against the experimental data obtained from outdoor test campaigns for both glazed and unglazed PV/T prototype models studied. The validation results show good agreement between predicted values and measured data and thus could be used to study analytically the performance of these PV/T air collectors with respect to several design and operating parameters. The modified systems present better performance than the usual type and will contribute to better performance of integrated PV systems for natural ventilation applications in buildings, both space cooling and heating.     

Advancement in solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid collector technology

This article presents an overview on the research and development and application aspects for the hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector systems. A major research and development work on the photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) hybrid technology has been done since last 30 years. Different types of solar thermal collector and new materials for PV cells have been developed for efficient solar energy utilization. The solar energy conversion into electricity and heat with a single device (called hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector) is a good advancement for future energy demand. This review presents the trend of research and development of technological advancement in photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) solar collectors and its useful applications like as solar heating, water desalination, solar greenhouse, solar still, photovoltaic-thermal solar heat pump/air-conditioning system, building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) and solar power co-generation.     

Effect of flow distribution on the photovoltaic performance of a building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) collector

The phenomenon of non-uniform flow distribution and its influence on thermal performance within a traditional solar thermal collector is well known. Its effect on the photovoltaic conversion of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector however has received little attention. In this study an investigation has been carried out to determine what effect flow distribution will have on the photovoltaic yield of a BIPV/T collector of various size. A three step numerical analysis was conducted to model flow distribution, temperature variation, and photovoltaic yield for a PV/T collector of various design (manifold sizes), geometric shape (aspect ratio), and operating characteristics (mass flow rate and flow direction in manifolds) in order to vary flow uniformity within the collector. The results revealed that flow distribution within the collector will have a significant influence on the photovoltaic performance of a hybrid PV/T collector. For the scenario where flow distribution was most uniform, photovoltaic performance was improved by over 9% in comparison to a traditional photovoltaic (PV) collector operating under the same conditions. For poor flow however, performance was only improved by approximately 2%. Parameters found to influence flow distribution include the manifold to riser pipe ratio where a ratio of 4:1 was found to be ideal and that increasing to a 6:1 ratio offered negligible improvement. Additionally it was found that array geometry (characterised by its aspect ratio in this study) plays an important role on both flow distribution and photovoltaic yield. This study has identified that the optimal mass flow rate is dependent on the shape or aspect ratio of the array.     

非晶硅太阳能光伏/光热空气集热器性能对比实验研究

文章设计了新型非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器,该空气集热器能够解决传统太阳能PV/T热水器在高温波动情况下,晶硅电池热应力大的问题,同时避免了冬季管道发生霜冻的现象。文章通过实验对比,分析了非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器、单独非晶硅光伏电池和传统太阳能空气集热器的能量效率和[火用]效率的差异。分析结果表明:非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器的平均热效率为45.70%,比传统太阳能空气集热器的平均热效率降低了约25.88%;当空气质量流量增大至0.048 kg/s时,非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器中的非晶硅光伏电池的平均电效率高于单独非晶硅光伏电池,它们的平均电效率分别为4.70%,4.54%;非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器的总[火用]效率高于传统太阳能空气集热器的热[火用]效率和单独非晶硅光伏电池的电[火用]效率,非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器总[火用]效率最大值为7.14%。文章的分析结果为非晶硅太阳能PV/T空气集热器的推广提供了参考。     

Improved PV/T solar collectors with heat extraction by forced or natural air circulation

The photovoltaic (PV) cells suffer efficiency drop as their operating temperature increases especially under high insolation levels and cooling is beneficial. Air-cooling, either by forced or natural flow, presents a non-expensive and simple method of PV cooling and the solar preheated air could be utilized in built, industrial and agricultural sectors. However, systems with heat extraction by air circulation are limited in their thermal performance due to the low density, the small volumetric heat capacity and the small thermal conductivity of air and measures for heat transfer augmentation is necessary. This paper presents the use of a suspended thin flat metallic sheet at the middle or fins at the back wall of an air duct as heat transfer augmentations in an air-cooled photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector to improve its overall performance. The steady-state thermal efficiencies of the modified systems are compared with those of typical PV/T air system. Daily temperature profiles of the outlet air, the PV rear surface and channel back wall are presented confirming the contribution of the modifications in increasing system electrical and thermal outputs. These techniques are anticipated to contribute towards wider applications of PV systems due to the increased overall efficiency.     

Air-cooled PV/T solar collectors with low cost performance improvements

Excess temperatures on installed photovoltaic (PV) modules lead to efficiency loss and PV cooling protects them from this undesirable efficiency drop. Both water and air have been used for PV cooling through a thermal unit attached to the back of the module yielding photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector, but air is preferred due to minimal use of material and low operating cost despite its poor thermo-physical properties. This study investigates the performance of two low cost heat extraction improvement modifications in the channel of a PV/T air system to achieve higher thermal output and PV cooling so as to keep the electrical efficiency at acceptable level. The use of thin flat metal sheet suspended at the middle or finned back wall of an air channel in the PV/T air configuration are the suggested methods. A theoretical model is developed and validated against experimental data, where good agreement between the predicted results and measured data were achieved. The validated model was then used to study the effect of the channel depth, channel length and mass flow rate on electrical and thermal efficiency, PV cooling and pressure drop for both improved and typical PV/T air systems and their results were compared. Both experimental and theoretical results show that the suggested modifications improve the performance of the PV/T air system.     

An improved thermal and electrical model for a solar photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) air collector

In this paper, an attempt is made to investigate the thermal and electrical performance of a solar photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) air collector. A detailed thermal and electrical model is developed to calculate the thermal and electrical parameters of a typical PV/T air collector. The thermal and electrical parameters of a PV/T air collector include solar cell temperature, back surface temperature, outlet air temperature, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point voltage, maximum power point current, etc. Some corrections are done on heat loss coefficients in order to improve the thermal model of a PV/T air collector. A better electrical model is used to increase the calculations precision of PV/T air collector electrical parameters. Unlike the conventional electrical models used in the previous literature, the electrical model presented in this paper can estimate the electrical parameters of a PV/T air collector such as open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point voltage, and maximum power point current. Further, an analytical expression for the overall energy efficiency of a PV/T air collector is derived in terms of thermal, electrical, design and climatic parameters. A computer simulation program is developed in order to calculate the thermal and electrical parameters of a PV/T air collector. The results of numerical simulation are in good agreement with the experimental measurements noted in the previous literature. Finally, parametric studies have been carried out. Since some corrections have been down on thermal and electrical models, it is observed that the thermal and electrical simulation results obtained in this paper is more precise than the one given by the previous literature. It is also found that the thermal efficiency, electrical efficiency and overall energy efficiency of PV/T air collector is about 17.18%, 10.01% and 45%, respectively, for a sample climatic, operating and design parameters.     

Thermal analysis of PV/T evaporator of a solar-assisted heat pump

The performance of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector had been studied theoretically and experimentally for some years. Air and water streams were used as the heat carriers for space heating or services hot water systems. The cooling effect allows the PV module to work at lower temperature and its PV efficiency is therefore improved. However, such an advantage diminishes when the solar irradiance is high. To improve the situation a new type of PV/T collector is proposed. It works as the evaporator of a heat pump, in that refrigerant evaporates in the tubing at the back of the flat-plate collector and the PV module is adhered to the front surface. Mathematical models were developed to simulate the complex energy conversion processes. Numerical analysis was then performed based on the distributed parameters approach. An experimental rig was also built to test its real performance. Our results showed that the PV/T evaporator had an overall efficiency in the range of 0.64–0.87, thermal efficiency 0.53–0.64 and PV efficiency 0.124–0.135. The simulation results were found in good agreement with the experiment measurements. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

真空玻璃与单层玻璃盖板PV/T集热器性能的对比研究

提出一种真空玻璃盖板平板式PV/T集热器,建立了真空玻璃和单层玻璃盖板PV/T集热器的传热模型,并分别搭建了两种PV/T热水系统的实验平台进行模型的实验验证。预测结果与实验测量结果的均方根偏差（RMSD）在0.71% ~ 11.17%之间。利用数学模型模拟了真空玻璃与单层玻璃盖板PV/T集热器在合肥冬季的热、电性能,并比较了两者性能的差异。模拟结果表明真空玻璃盖板PV/T集热器的顶部热损失平均为22 W,而单层玻璃盖板PV/T集热器热损失平均为107 W。使用真空玻璃盖板能显著减少PV/T集热器的顶部热损失。真空玻璃盖板PV/T集热器相对单层玻璃盖板PV/T集热器的全天热效率提高了5.68%,二者分别为41.76%和36.08%,全天电效率分别为11.76%和12.79%,相差1.03%。     

Energy performance of water hybrid PV/T collectors applied to combisystems of Direct Solar Floor type

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules in buildings allows one to consider a multifunctional frame and then to reduce the cost by substitution of components. In order to limit the rise of the cell operating temperature, a photovoltaics/thermal (PV/T) collector combines a solar water heating collector and PV cells. The recovered heat energy can be used for heating systems and domestic hot water. A combination with a Direct Solar Floor is studied. Its low operating temperature level is appropriate for the operating conditions of the mono- or poly-crystalline photovoltaic modules which are selected in that study. However, for a system including a glass covered collector and localised in Mâcon area in France, we show that the annual photovoltaic cell efficiency is 6.8% which represents a decrease of 28% in comparison with a conventional non-integrated PV module of 9.4% annual efficiency. This is obviously due to a temperature increase related to the cover. On the other hand, we show that without a glass cover, the efficiency is 10% which is 6% better than a standard module due to the cooling effect.Moreover, in the case of a glazed PV/T collector with a conventional control system for Direct Solar Floor, the maximum temperature reached at the level of the PV modules is higher than 100 °C. This is due to the oversize of the collectors during the summer when the heating needs are null, i.e. without a heated swimming pool for example. This temperature level does not allow the use of EVA resin (ethylene vinyl acetate) in PV modules due to strong risks of degradation. The current solution consists of using amorphous cells or, if we do not enhance the thermal production, uncovered PV/T collector. Further research led to water hybrid PV/T solar collectors as a one-piece component, both reliable and efficient, and including the thermal absorber, the heat exchanger and the photovoltaic functions.     

Design concept and mathematical model of a bi-fluid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector

This paper presents an improved design of a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector integrating a PV panel with a serpentine-shaped copper tube as the water heating component and a single pass air channel as the air heating component. In addition to the electricity generated, this type of collector enables the production of both hot air and water, increasing the total efficiency per unit area compared to the conventional PV/T solar collector. The use of both fluids (bi-fluid) also creates a greater range of thermal applications and offers options in which hot and/or cold air and/or water can be utilized depending on the energy needs and applications. In this paper, the design concept of the bi-fluid PV/T solar collector is emphasized with 2D steady state energy balance equations for the bi-fluid configuration are developed, validated and used to predict the performance of the bi-fluid solar collector for a range of mass flow rates of air and water. The performance of the collector is then compared when the fluids are operated independently and simultaneously. The simulations indicate that when both fluids are operated independently the overall thermal and electrical performance of the solar collector is considered as satisfactory and when operated simultaneously the overall performance is higher. The bi-fluid PV/T solar collector discussed in this paper will add insights to the new knowledge of optimizing the utilization of solar energy by a PV/T solar collector and has potential applications in various fields.     

Performance analysis of a double-pass photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collector with CPC and fins

The use of PV/T in combination with concentrating reflectors has a potential to significantly increase power production from a given solar cell area. A prototype double-pass photovoltaic-thermal solar air collector with CPC and fins has been designed and fabricated and its performance over a range of operating conditions was studied. The absorber of the hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector under investigation consists of an array of solar cells for generating electricity, compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) to increase the radiation intensity falling on the solar cells and fins attached to the back side of the absorber plate to improve heat transfer to the flowing air. Energy balance equations have been developed for the various nodes of the system. Both thermal and electrical performance of the collector are presented and discussed.     

小型菲涅尔式CPV/T集热器光热特性研究

为充分利用建筑屋顶,解决光伏光热一体化(PV/T)集热器光电转换效率的高温减益问题,并提高太阳能综合利用率和集热品位,文章构建了一种基于太阳光谱分频利用技术的光伏/光热模块分离式的小型聚光式PV/T集热器。通过建立其光/电/热理论分析模型及TracePro/Fluent数值仿真模型,以南京地区气象数据为例,综合分析其光/电/热性能,结果表明:该集热器以与安装地纬度等值的倾角南北轴向放置时,其年均光学效率为64.97%,工质出口温度为90℃时的系统光电/光热效率分别为12.47%,40.09%,系统综合热效率达72.91%,且其结构简单、外形轻薄,有望实现与普通建筑的有效结合。     

Performance evaluation of a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) (glass-to-glass) system

In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate the thermal performance of a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) air collector system. The two type of photovoltaic (PV) module namely PV module with glass-to-tedlar and glass-to-glass are considered for performance comparison. The results of both PV modules are compared for composite climate of New Delhi. Analytical expression for solar cell, back surface, outlet air temperatures and an overall thermal efficiency are derived for both cases. It is observed that hybrid air collector with PV module glass-to-glass gives better performance in terms of overall thermal efficiency. Parametric studies are also carried out.     

A numerical investigation of a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector

The photovoltaic thermal collector can provide thermal and heat power at the same time.In this paper, a photovoltaic/thermal sheet and tube collector has been numerically investigated. The paper focuses on the development of a hybrid solar collector PV/T. This model will be applied to optimize the operation of the PVT collector in the semi-arid climate. A mathematical model has been developed to determine the dynamic behavior of the collector, based on the energy balance of six main components namely a transparent cover, a PV module, a plate absorber, a tube, water in the tube and insulation. It has been validated by comparing the obtained simulation results with experimental results available in literature, where good agreement has been noted. Using our developed model, the heat and electrical power of sheet and tube collector has been analyzed for four typical days of year with the meteorological parameters of Monastir, Tunisia. Furthermore, the effect of solar radiation, the inlet water temperature, the number of glazing covers and the conductive heat transfer coefficient between plate absorber and PV module have been involved to identify their influence on the thermal and electrical efficiencies. The monthly thermal and electrical energies is also evaluated.     

System performance studies on a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) air heating collector

A computer simulation model is presented for the analysis of a solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid collector with air as heat transfer fluid and algorithm for making quantitative prediction regarding the performance of the system is described. Thermal efficiency curves for the solar PV/T hybrid collectors corresponding to various type of absorbers have been derived. In order to appreciate the model, numerical calculations have been made for evaluating the system performance corresponding to typical climate of Delhi, India     

Aspects and improvements of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar energy systems

Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T or PVT) solar systems consist of PV modules coupled to water or air heat extraction devices, which convert the absorbed solar radiation into electricity and heat. At the University of Patras, an extended research on PV/T systems has been performed aiming at the study of several modifications for system performance improvement. In this paper a new type of PV/T collector with dual heat extraction operation, either with water or with air circulation is presented. This system is simple and suitable for building integration, providing hot water or air depending on the season and the thermal needs of the building. Experiments with dual type PV/T models of alternative arrangement of the water and the air heat exchanging elements were performed. The most effective design was further studied, applying to it low cost modifications for the air heat extraction improvement. These modifications include a thin metallic sheet placed in the middle of the air channel, the mounting of fins on the opposite wall to PV rear surface of the air channel and the placement of the sheet combined with small ribs on the opposite air channel wall. The modified dual PV/T collectors were combined with booster diffuse reflectors, achieving a significant increase in system thermal and electrical energy output. The improved PV/T systems have aesthetic and energy advantages and could be used instead of separate installation of plain PV modules and thermal collectors, mainly if the available building surface is limited and the thermal needs are associated with low temperature water or air heating.