Performance evaluation of a naturally ventilated photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) solar collector: a case study

Shahsavar, Amin; Sardari, Pouyan Talebizadeh; Yasseri, Sirous; Mahani, Rohollah Babaei

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to design and analyze a naturally ventilated photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) air collector numerically and experimentally in both glazed and unglazed conditions. To reduce the panel's temperature, a thin metal sheet in the middle of the air channel is used to improve thermal and electrical output of the system. A good agreement is first achieved between the numerical results and the measured data. The validated model is then used to evaluate the effective parameters i.e. solar radiation intensity, channel depth and channel length on air mass flow rate, PV cooling, outlet air temperature as well as thermal and electrical efficiencies. The results show that while the thermal efficiency ranges between 12.21-37.17% throughout the day, the electrical efficiency ranges between 3.23-8.12%.

Citation

Shahsavar, A., Sardari, P. T., Yasseri, S., & Mahani, R. B. (2018). Performance evaluation of a naturally ventilated photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) solar collector: a case study. International Journal of Energy and Environment, 9(5), 455-472

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 14, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Print ISSN: 2076-2895
• Publisher: International Energy and Environment Foundation
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 455-472
• Keywords: Photovoltaic-thermal air collector; Natural convection; Glass cover; Thermal efficiency; Electrical efficiency
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1422617
• Publisher URL: http://www.ijee.ieefoundation.org/vol9/issue5/IJEE_03_v9n5.pdf