Modelling, Simulation and Experimental Study of a Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal Collector (PVT)

Abstract

Solar energy is among the renewable energies with the highest growth potential in the world. From this primary energy source, one can obtain electrical or thermal energy through different conversion methods, either using the photovoltaic panel or the thermal collector, respectively. The photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collector is a hybrid solar device that combines, in the same equipment, an electrical energy production module (photovoltaic module) with a thermal energy production module (thermal module). However, the PVT does not have the same maturity as the photovoltaic panels or the thermal collectors that are independently available on the market. As an emerging equipment, it still needs to be further studied and developed, namely in its modelling, among other aspects. This work focuses on a numerical investigation of the PVT technology, with the goal of evaluating how computational mathematical models predict the operating scenarios of an experimentally studied PVT unit. As such, acquired experimental data was analised against simulations of energy and mass balances. The model was validated for the same conditions of the experimental tests, therefore determining the degree of agreement with the data acquired experimentally. A very good general agreement is observed between the simulated and experimental results.