Comprehensive review of the recent advances in PV/T system with loop-pipe configuration and nanofluid

Cui, Yuanlong; Zhu, Jie; Zoras, Stamatis; Zhang, Jizhe

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic/thermal technology has been widely utilized in building service area as it generates thermal and electrical
energy simultaneously. In order to improve the photovoltaic/thermal system performance, nanofluids are employed as the thermal
fluid owing to its high thermal conductivity. This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art of the photovoltaic/thermal systems with
different loop-pipe configurations (including heat pipe, vacuum tube, roll-bond, heat exchanger, micro-channel, U-tube,
triangular tube and heat mat) and nanoparticles (including Copper-oxide, Aluminium-oxide, Silicon carbide, Tribute,
Magnesium-oxide, Cerium-oxide, Tungsten-oxide, Titanium-oxide, Zirconia-oxide, Graphene and Carbon). The influences of
the critical parameters like nanoparticle optical and thermal properties, volume fraction, mass flux and mass flow rates, on the
photovoltaic/thermal system performance are for the optimum energy efficiency. Furthermore, the structure and manufacturing
of solar cells, micro-thermometry analysis of solar cells and recycling process of photovoltaic panels are explored. At the end,
the standpoints, recommendations and potential future development on the solar photovoltaic/thermal system with various
configurations and nanofluids are deliberated to overcome the barriers and challenges for the practical application. This study
demonstrates that the advanced photovoltaic/thermal configuration could improve the system energy efficiency approximately
15%-30% in comparison with the conventional type whereas the nanofluid is able to boost the efficiency around 10%-20%
compared to that with traditional working fluid.

Citation

Cui, Y., Zhu, J., Zoras, S., & Zhang, J. (2021). Comprehensive review of the recent advances in PV/T system with loop-pipe configuration and nanofluid. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, Article 110254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110254

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 10, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 24, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 21, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 25, 2021
• Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
• Print ISSN: 1364-0321
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 135
• Article Number: 110254
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110254
• Keywords: PV/T system configuration; Nanofluids; Electrical output; Electrical efficiency; Thermal output; Thermal efficiency
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4845816
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032120305438