Performance Evaluation of PV/T Air Collector Having a Single-Pass Double-Flow Air Channel and Non-Uniform Cross-Section Transverse Rib

Hwi-Ung Choi and Kwang-Hwan Choi
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Hwi-Ung Choi: Department of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea
Kwang-Hwan Choi: Department of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: In the present work, the electrical and thermal performances of a newly designed PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) air collector, which was proposed and fabricated by the author, have been investigated experimentally in the natural weather conditions. The PV/T air collector has a single-pass double-flow air channel. Also, a non-uniform cross-section transverse rib was attached at the back surface of the PV (photovoltaic) module to improve the heat transfer performance between the PV module and flowing air. The experiment was carried out in an outdoor field on a clear day with various air mass flow rates ranges from 0.0198 kg/s to 0.07698 kg/s. In the results, it was found that the average thermal efficiency of the PV/T collector increased from 35.2% to 56.72% as the air mass flow rate increased. The average electrical efficiency also increased from 14.23% to 14.81% with an increase in an air mass flow rate, but the effect of air mass flow rate on the increase in electrical efficiency was inconsiderable. The average overall efficiency, which represents the sum of electrical and thermal efficiencies, was in the range of 49.44% to 71.54% and it increased as the air mass flow rate increased. The maximum value of average overall efficiency during the test period was found to be 71.54% at an air mass flow rate of 0.07698 kg/s. From the results, it was confirmed that the newly designed PV/T air collector provides a significant enhancement in solar energy utilization.

Keywords: PV/T collector; solar air heater; solar collector; hybrid solar system; experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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