Operation strategy optimization and heat transfer characteristic analysis of photovoltaic/thermal module series connected with flat plate solar collector: System experimental study

Hao Fang, Ning Zhang, Guojun Cai, Haifei Chen, Jinwei Ma, Deyi Wu, Tao Du and Yunjie Wang

Renewable Energy, 2024, vol. 229, issue C

Abstract: Flat plate solar collector (FPSC) produces only thermal energy without electricity, whereas the photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) module produces electricity and low-temperature thermal energy. This paper presents a low-cost method to strengthen the functional uniqueness of individual PV/T and FPSC components through connecting a PV/T module in series with the other component. Under various water volume conditions, an experimental test on high mass flow rate was carried out. Results showed that the FPSC produced a better heating contribution and that reverse heat transfer of the PV/T module might be reduced by changing the operation strategy. The water volume is a crucial factor that influences the system's available heating time, a system that operates in the optimal water volume range will produce greater energy savings. Furthermore, the maximum values of the thermal, electrical, exergy, and primary energy-saving efficiency were 51.91 %, 13.52 %, 19.13 %, and 87.20 %, respectively. The optimal water volume distribution range of the system is 160–180 L. With an average annual decrease of 2.96 t in CO2 emissions, the system provides a 4.28-year payback period and saves 5285.71 USD in electricity costs throughout its life cycle. The novel system performs extremely well in terms of energy and cost efficiency.

Keywords: Photovoltaic/thermal; Flat plate solar collector; Heat transfer; Exergy; Performance assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:229:y:2024:i:c:s0960148124008383

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.120770

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