Simulation analysis and experimental validation of enhanced photovoltaic thermal module by harnessing heat

Xin Tang, Guiqiang Li, Xudong Zhao, Kai Shi and Li Lao

Applied Energy, 2022, vol. 309, issue C, No S0306261921017025

Abstract: A novel thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC) has been developed recently for converting low-grade heat into electricity, which is suitable but rarely researched for harnessing the thermal energy generated by the photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) module to enhance the electrical performance. This study conducts experimental works on the heat-to-electricity performance of the TREC battery to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the PV/T-TREC hybrid system. Based on the experimental results, a detailed transient three-dimensional MATLAB simulation model of the PV/T-TREC system is developed to predict the overall electrical performance. For practical applications, the annual behaviors of the PV/T-TREC system employed in three typical climate areas of Hefei, Beijing, Harbin are simulated and compared. The results show that the electrical performance of the hybrid system is better than the single PV and PV/T module during different areas of various weather conditions except for cold season of February and November in Harbin. In comparison to the PV/T, the hybrid system can generate additional electricity of 45.95 kWh/m2, 50.20 kWh/m2, 29.99 kWh/m2 in the locations of Hefei, Beijing, Harbin annually. To reach the maximum electrical efficiency at different amounts of solar radiation, optimal tank volumes are analyzed and suggested in different months. The optimal working temperatures for the maximum electricity output on ideal theoretical analyses are 72 ℃, 83 ℃, 91 ℃, 100 ℃ at the ambient temperature of 5 ℃, 15 ℃, 25 ℃, 35 ℃ in constant heat cases. This study may provide a feasible plan for designing the water tank and water temperature of the PV/T-TREC for achieving high-efficient annual electricity performance of solar power in different application locations.

Keywords: Photovoltaic/thermal; Electrochemical battery; Electrical performance; Annual performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118479

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