Solar Hybrid System for Electricity and Air Heating - Experimental Research

Abstract

In the current energy context, solar energy is the cheapest source of renewable energy. Photovoltaic solar cells (PV) and air thermal collectors (ATC) are used to convert solar irradiation into electricity and heat. In this research a model for a hybrid solar system consisting in a photovoltaic panel behind which is a hot air collector was designed and tested. This system produces both electricity and heat, from the sun, based on principle two in one. In the Romanian climatic conditions, such solar systems can be easily integrated into residential or office buildings. By cooling with air, the photovoltaic panel and recovering the thermal energy, the electric power increase with about 7.905% for a solar irradiance of 750 W/m2. The warm air collected from behind the panel had a temperature of 5.5° C (Celsius degrees) higher, depending on the air velocity provided by the tangential fan. The experimental research demonstrates the efficiency of a PV-ATC hybrid system: 11.16% for the electrical efficiency, 45.27% for the thermal efficiency and 56.44% for the total efficiency.