Performance and cost analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar air heater

摘要

A photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar air heater is a collector that combines solar thermal collector and photovoltaic cells in one single hybrid generating unit. It generates both thermal and electrical energies simultaneously. A new design of a double-pass photovoltaic-thermal solar air heater with CPC and fins was successfully developed and fabricated at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A detailed performance and economic analysis of the collector have been reported. Evaluation of the annual cost (AC) and the annual energy gain (AEG) of the collector have been performed. The cost-benefit ratios of the collector were examined over a wide range of design and operational parameters (m , L, d1 and d2 ) to make it feasible for the users to select an optimum design and operational features which correspond to minimum AC/AEG. The necessity for an economic analysis of the collector is obvious when assessing their feasibility in solar energy applications system. Results of the analysis are presented and discussed.