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A review of thermal absorbers and their integration methods for the combined solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules

Wu, Jinshun; Zhang, Xingxing; Shen, Jingchun; Wu, Yupeng; Connelly, Karen; Yang, Tong; Tang, Llewellyn; Xiao, Manxuan; Wei, Yixuan; Jiang, Ke; Chen, Chao; Xu, Peng; Wang, Hong

Authors

Jinshun Wu

Xingxing Zhang

Jingchun Shen

Karen Connelly

Tong Yang

Llewellyn Tang

Manxuan Xiao

Yixuan Wei

Ke Jiang

Peng Xu

Hong Wang



Abstract

Thermal absorbers and their integration methods are critical to solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules. These two elements directly influence the cooling effort of PV layers and as a result, the related electrical/thermal/overall efficiency. This paper conducts a critical review on the essential thermal absorbers and their integration methods for the currently-available PV modules for the purpose of producing the combined PV/T modules. A brief overview of different PV/T technologies is initially summarized, including aspects of their structure, efficiencies, thermal governing expressions and their applications. Seven different types of thermal absorbers and four corresponding integration methods are subsequently discussed and summarized in terms of their advantages/disadvantages and the associated application for various PV/T modules. Compared to traditional thermal absorbers, such as sheet-and-tube structure, rectangular tunnel with or without fins/grooves and flat-plate tube, these four types, i.e. micro-channel heat pipe array/heat mat, extruded heat exchanger, roll-bond heat exchanger and cotton wick structure, are promising due to the significant enhancement in terms of efficiency, structure, weight, and cost etc. The appropriate or suitable integration method varies in different cases, i.e. the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) based lamination method seems the best option for integration of PV layer with thermal absorber when compared with other conventional methods, such as direct contact, thermal adhesive and mechanical fixing. Finally, suggestions for further research topics are proposed from five aspects. The overall research results would provide useful information for the assistance of further development of solar PV/T modules with high feasibility for widespread application in energy supply even at district or city-level in the near future.

Citation

Wu, J., Zhang, X., Shen, J., Wu, Y., Connelly, K., Yang, T., Tang, L., Xiao, M., Wei, Y., Jiang, K., Chen, C., Xu, P., & Wang, H. (in press). A review of thermal absorbers and their integration methods for the combined solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 75, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.063

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 2, 2016
Online Publication Date Dec 5, 2016
Deposit Date Nov 3, 2017
Journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Print ISSN 1364-0321
Electronic ISSN 1879-0690
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 75
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.063
Keywords Solar; PV/T; Thermal absorber; Integration method
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/836635
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032116308085
Contract Date Oct 31, 2017