Thermal Performance of Hybrid PVT Collector with Natural Circulation

Authors: K. Touafek, A. Khelifa, I. Tabet, H. Haloui, H. Bencheikh El Houcine, M. Adouane

Abstract:

Hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors allow simultaneous production of electrical energy thus heat energy. There are several configurations of hybrid collectors (to produce water or air). For hybrids water collectors, there are several configurations that differ by the nature of the absorber (serpentine, tubes...). In this paper, an absorber tank is studied. The circulation of the coolant is natural (we do not use the pump). We present the obtained results in our experimental study and we analyzed the data, and then we compare the results with the theory practices. The electrical performances of the hybrid collector are compared with those of conventional photovoltaic module mounted on the same structure and measured under the same conditions.

We conducted experiments with natural circulation of the coolant (Thermosyphon), for a flow rate of 0.025kg/m².

Keywords: Experimental, Photovoltaic, Solar, Temperature, Tank.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1092467

References:

[1] Y. Tripanagnostopoulos, « Low concentration hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (pv/t) solar energy systems », IP programme: ICT Tools: PV systems Teaching and Learning, Patra 1st July-10th July 2004.
[2] Jr. E.C. Kern and M. C. Russell, « Combined photovoltaic and thermal hybrid collector systems », In Proc. 13th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists, Washington DC, USA, 1978, pp. 1153 - 1157.
[3] A. K.Bhargava, H. P. Garg and R. K. Agarwal, « Study of a hybrid solar system - solar air heater combined with solar cells ». Energy Convers. Mgmt, 199131, pp471 - 479.
[4] J.Prakash, « Transient analysis of a photovoltaic / thermal solar collector for co –generation of electricity and hot air / water », Energy Convers. Mgmt 35, 1994, pp.967 - 972.
[5] K.Sopian, H. T.Liu, K. S.Yigit, S.Kakac and T. N. Veziroglu, « An investigation into the performance of a double pass photovoltaic thermal solar collector », In Proc. ASME Int. Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exhibition, San Francisco, USA, 1995, AES Vol. 35, pp. 89 –94.
[6] T.Bergene and O.M.Lovvik, « Model calculations on a flat-plate solar heat collector with integrated solar cells », Solar Energy, 1995, Vol. 55, pp.453-462
[7] B. J.Brinkworth, B. M.Cross, R. H. Marshall and Hongxing Yang, « Thermal regulation of photovoltaic cladding ». Solar Energy, 1997, 61, pp. 169-178.
[8] H. P. Garg and R. S. Adhikari, « Performance analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector with integrated CPC troughs », Int. J. Energy Res, 23, 1999, pp. 1295 - 1304.
[9] B.J. Huang, T.H. Lin, W.C. Hung and F.S. Sun, « Performance evaluation of solar photovoltaic / thermal systems », Solar Energy 70, 2001, pp. 443 – 448.
[10] B.Sandnes and J.Rekstad, « A photovoltaic/thermal (pv/t) collector with a polymer absorber plate. Experimental study and analytical model », Solar Energy, 2002, Vol. 72, No. 1, pp. 63–73.
[11] M.J. Elswijk, M.J.M. Jong, K.J. Strootman, J.N.C. Braakman, de E.T.N. Lange, W.F. Smit, « Photovoltaic/thermal collectors in large solar thermal systems », 19th European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Paris, France, 2004, pp. 7-11.