Performance evaluation of solar photovoltaic/thermal systems
Huang, B., Lin, T., Hung, W. and Sun, F.
2001
Solar Energy, 70(5): 443-448
Keywords:
Huang, B., Lin, T., Hung, W. and Sun, F., (2001), "Performance evaluation of solar photovoltaic/thermal systems", Solar Energy, 70(5): 443-448.
| Abstract: |
| The major purpose of the present study is to understand the performance of an integrated photovoltaic and thermal solar system (IPVTS) as compared to a conventional solar water heater and to demonstrate the idea of an IPVTS design. A commercial polycrystalline PV module is used for making a PV/T collector. The PV/T collector is used to build an IPVTS. The test results show that the solar PV/T collector made from a corrugated polycarbonate panel can obtain a good thermal efficiency. The present study introduces the concept of primary-energy saving efficiency for the evaluation of a PV/T system. The primary-energy saving efficiency of the present IPVTS exceeds 0.60. This is higher than for a pure solar hot water heater or a pure PV system. The characteristic daily efficiency ?s* reaches 0.38 which is about 76% of the value for a conventional solar hot water heater using glazed collectors (?s*=0.50). The performance of a PV/T collector can be improved if the heat-collecting plate, the PV cells and the glass cover are directly packed together to form a glazed collector. The manufacturing cost of the PV/T collector and the system cost of the IPVTS can also be reduced. The present study shows that the idea of IPVTS is economically feasible too. |
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This publication in whole or part may be found online at:  here. |
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