Design, Fabrication and Performance Analysis of Photovoltaic-Thermal Collector by using different Heat Transfer Fluids /

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electrical energy, and their surface temperature increases in response to solar irradiation. The heat effect of photovoltaic (PV) systems exerts a substantial impact on their overall efficiency, thereby establishing the fundamental basis for the development of Photovoltaic Thermal (PV/T) collectors. These collectors integrate both PV and thermal technologies to enhance the overall performance of the system. This study involved the design and development of a flat-plate photovoltaic thermal (FPVT) collector that has the capability to generate both electricity and heat. The outdoor testing of this system took place at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), located in H-12 Islamabad, Pakistan (33o 38' 32.5" N, 72o 59' 03.6" E). The study encompassed the evaluation of multiple parameters, including the impact of different heat transfer fluids (HTF) on the temperature of photovoltaic (PV) cells, both with and without the implementation of a cooling mechanism. Additionally, the investigation examined the relationship between flowrate and the thermal efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) systems, as well as the overall performance of PV/T collectors. The pump was activated once the temperatures of both the PV cells affixed to the copper absorber and the absorber plate had reached their respective maximum values. This research study successfully achieved a reduction of 60.2% in cell temperatures. The PV/T collector's maximum electrical, thermal, and total efficiency were measured to be 17.13%, 50.31%, and 67.44%, respectively, at a maximum flow rate of 1 l/min. By demonstrating a strong adherence to existing scholarly works, this study successfully assessed the electrical and thermal efficiency of the PV/T collector through the employed PV/T system.