Experimental investigation and modeling of a direct-coupled PV/T air collector

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLENER.2010.07.010· OSTI ID:21379833

Shahsavar, A; Ameri, M ^[1]

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1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems refer to the integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies into one single system, in that both useful heat energy and electricity are produced. The impetus of this paper is to model a direct-coupled PV/T air collector which is designed, built, and tested at a geographic location of Kerman, Iran. In this system, a thin aluminum sheet suspended at the middle of air channel is used to increase the heat exchange surface and consequently improve heat extraction from PV panels. This PV/T system is tested in natural convection and forced convection (with two, four and eight fans operating) and its unsteady results are presented in with and without glass cover cases. A theoretical model is developed and validated against experimental data, where good agreement between the measured values and those calculated by the simulation model were achieved. Comparisons are made between electrical performance of the different modes of operation, and it is concluded that there is an optimum number of fans for achieving maximum electrical efficiency. Also, results show that setting glass cover on photovoltaic panels leads to an increase in thermal efficiency and decrease in electrical efficiency of the system. (author)

• OSTI ID: 21379833
• Journal Information: Solar Energy, Vol. 84, Issue 11; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FORCED CONVECTION
NATURAL CONVECTION
SIMULATION
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
BLOWERS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GLASS
IRAN
PANELS
HEAT EXTRACTION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
COVERINGS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PV/T collectors
Direct-coupled systems