Parametric optimization for enhancing the electrical performance of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle system

Yingyin Sha, Xin Tang, Erdem Cuce, Guiqiang Li and Xudong Zhao

Energy, 2024, vol. 307, issue C

Abstract: Globally, the efficient utilization of solar energy has garnered significant attention. A hybrid system of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules integrated with thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC), i.e., PV/T-TREC has emerged recently and shows higher efficiency for solar-to-electrical conversion than a standalone PV system. However, there is a trade-off between the electricity generation from PV/T and TREC because the thermal energy from PV/T degrades the efficiency of the PV/T but improves that of TREC. Previous studies have failed to investigate this problem. This study therefore focuses on the key parameters that significantly affect the thermal output of PV/T, i.e., different PV materials, air gaps, heat storage tank volumes, and working fluids to investigate the maximum electrical efficiency of the hybrid system. The mathematical and transient-state numerical models are developed with the validation/refinement from the experiments. The results show that the hybrid system with PV material of cadmium telluride presents the best overall electrical efficiency of 25.37 %. The case of the air gap fosters the solar-to-electrical conversion. The electrical efficiency versus heat storage tank volume shows a convex curve, peaking at 200 L. The nanofluid performs the best. This study may help guide the practical application of such a high-efficiency electricity generation system.

Keywords: Solar energy; Electrical generation; Photovoltaic/thermal; Hybrid system; Thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:307:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224024733

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132699

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