Performance Study of a Photovoltaic Thermal System With an Oscillatory Flow Design

Abstract

In this study, integrated photovoltaic thermal roofing system has been successfully built and tested to improve the photovoltaic efficiency as well as providing domestic hot water supply. The major components of the solar photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector in this study comprise of amorphous silicon solar cells arranged in series that were adhered to the roofing structure. Unified structure of copper tube absorbers with oscillatory flow configuration was attached to the back plate which was insulated with glass wool from the surrounding. The entire PV/T collector has been mounted on a manual two degree solar tracker that can be adjusted toward the exposure of maximum solar irradiation. The effect of altering parameters such as water mass flow rate and irradiance on the collector's efficiencies has been carried out. The combined efficiency including photovoltaic and thermal efficiencies varies from 70.53% to 81.5% in the PV/T system with the oscillatory flow configuration. The present study has shown better results in terms of PV/T efficiency in comparison with the prior corresponding experiments.

A Review of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) Technology for Residential Applications: Performance Indicators, Progress, and Opportunities

“…In a similar study conducted for Bangkok city, Nualboonrueng et al [73] reported a payback time of 6.4 years, 11.8 years and 13.4 years for an a-Si, pc-Si and c-Si-based PVT system, respectively. Rahou et al [150] also confirmed a better cost/benefit ratio of a-Si based PVT systems over pc-Si. Axaopoulos et al [151] studied the commercially available PVT systems for three locations: (Athens, Munich and Dundee), using TRNSYS, and reported that the PVT system investment is more beneficial when the existing auxiliary heating system is powered by electricity instead of oil and natural gas.…”

Flat plate solar photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) systems: A reference guide

“…The spiral flow design obtained the highest total efficiency of 68% and thermal efficiency of 50.12%, compared to the serpentine flow design with the lowest total efficiency of 45% and thermal efficiency of 32.35%, among the several designs considered [19]. A PV/T roofing system with amorphous silicon solar cells and oscillatory flow arrangement of tubes beneath the PV module produced an overall efficiency between 70.53% and 81.5% [142]. Aluminium box type channels underneath the PV module, provided better performance than fins, in a sheet and tube thermal absorber, and provided high combined efficiency [143].…”

A Simulation Study of Hybrid Solar Drying Chamber for Agriculture Product

“…The temperature becomes lower when the inlet size increases because the mass flow rate increases. When the heat flux is fixed, the increase in mass flow rate can cause a drop in temperature [25].…”