Corrugated tubes as a paradigm shift in solar PV thermal system technologies: Numerical insights into performance

Ali Navegi, Seyed Reza Maadi, Irandokht Khanjani, Arash Kazemian, Changying Xiang and Tao Ma

Energy, 2025, vol. 327, issue C

Abstract: Corrugated tubes are known for superior heat transfer properties, yet their potential in photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems remains underexplored. This study applies three corrugated tube designs—neutral, concave, and convex—in PVT collectors using validated 3D numerical simulations benchmarked against ISO 9806:2017. One design was selected for further analysis. Results show that corrugated tubes enhance heat transfer, reduce thermal stress, and improve system reliability. The concave design achieves the highest efficiency (64.69 %) and largest carbon reduction (338.87 kg CO2/m2). Economic analysis reveals that corrugated tubes lower the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to 0.036–0.037 USD/kWh, compared to 0.041 USD/kWh for smooth tubes, with a return on investment (ROI) of 908.2 % for the concave design. Payback periods reduce to 2.5 years, confirming financial viability. Parametric analysis indicates that increasing amplitude length (A) from 0.05D to 0.25D improves optical efficiency (η0) by 6.55 % and reduces heat loss (UL) by 32.73 %. Shortening the period length (λ) from 8D to D further improves η0 by 3.66 % and reduces UL by 16.23 %. These findings establish corrugated tubes as a promising solution for enhancing PVT efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting sustainable solar energy applications.

Keywords: Corrugated tubes; Economic and environmental analysis; Energy analysis; Parametric analysis; Photovoltaic thermal module; Heat transfer enhancement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:327:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225016688

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136026

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