Experimental and simulation performance investigation of a hybrid PV/ T solar panel

摘要

This paper presents a study on hybrid PV/T solar panels performance, using both experimental and simulation methods. The experimental part is intended to measure and compare PV/T and PV electrical and thermal outputs, under measured solar irradiance and ambient temperature, and to asses temperature distribution on collectors with IR imaging. The simulation part of the study is intended two asses the technical viability of integrating the studied type of PV/T panel into a highly efficient solar house prototype, by comparing a reference system with separate PV and solar thermal collectors with one that uses PV/T panels. The experimental study concluded the following: the PV was hotter than the PV/T by an average of 5°C on the back of the collector and by an average 16.5°C on the front face. The PV/T panel electrical power yield was greater by 5.2% than the PV and produced 2.1 kWh of thermal energy used for water heating. The simulation study showed that the system with integrated PV/T panels results in a solar fraction to the system of 12.2% compared to 8.4^{% for the separate PV and solar thermal. It produced 5.2% more electrical energy, while the total consumption of the system (fuel and electricity) dropped by a significant 11.1%. Also, the global efficiency of the system increased by an average 10%.}