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Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologie

Zhang, X., Zhao, X., Smith, S., Xu, J. and Yu, X.
2011
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Available online 28 September 2011, ISSN 1364-0321


Zhang, X., Zhao, X., Smith, S., Xu, J. and Yu, X., (2011), "Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologie", Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Available online 28 September 2011, ISSN 1364-0321.
Abstract:
In this paper, the global market potential of solar thermal, photovoltaic (PV) and combined photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies in current time and near future was discussed. The concept of the PV/T and the theory behind the PV/T operation were briefly introduced, and standards for evaluating technical, economic and environmental performance of the PV/T systems were addressed. A comprehensive literature review into R&D works and practical application of the PV/T technology was illustrated and the review results were critically analysed in terms of PV/T type and research methodology used. The major features, current status, research focuses and existing difficulties/barriers related to the various types of PV/T were identified. The research methods, including theoretical analyses and computer simulation, experimental and combined experimental/theoretical investigation, demonstration and feasibility study, as well as economic and environmental analyses, applied into the PV/T technology were individually discussed, and the achievement and problems remaining in each research method category were described. Finally, opportunities for further work to carry on PV/T study were identified. The review research indicated that air/water-based PV/T systems are the commonly used technologies but their thermal removal effectiveness is lower. Refrigerant/heat-pipe-based PV/Ts, although still in research/laboratory stage, could achieve much higher solar conversion efficiencies over the air/water-based systems. However, these systems were found a few technical challenges in practice which require further resolutions. The review research suggested that further works could be undertaken to (1) develop new feasible, economic and energy efficient PV/T systems; (2) optimise the structural/geometrical configurations of the existing PV/T systems; (3) study long term dynamic performance of the PV/T systems; (4) demonstrate the PV/T systems in real buildings and conduct the feasibility study; and (5) carry on advanced economic and environmental analyses. This review research helps finding the questions remaining in PV/T technology, identify new research topics/directions to further improve the performance of the PV/T, remove the barriers in PV/T practical application, establish the standards/regulations related to PV/T design and installation, and promote its market penetration throughout the world.

Keywords: Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T); Electrical; Efficiency; Energy; Exergy; Payback; Life cycle cost; Carbon emission; Air; Water; Refrigerant; Heat-pipe; PCM; Structure; Geometry; Optimisation; Operation; Solar radiation; Climatic condition


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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Zhang, X.
  1. Analysis of uncertainty and error for solar heat gain test facility
  2. Modeling of Indoor Thermally Stratified Flows on the Basis of Eddy Viscosity/Diffusivity Model: State of the Art Review
  3. Numerical determination of convection coefficients for internal surfaces in buildings dominated by thermally stratified flows
  4. Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies,
  5. Spatial and temporal characteristics of heavy precipitation events over Canada  
Zhao, X.
  1. Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies,  
Smith, S.
  1. Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies,  
Xu, J.
  1. Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies,  
Yu, X.
  1. Review of R&D progress and practical application of the solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies,  



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