Analysis of a Residential Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) System in Two Similar Climate Conditions

Madalina Barbu, George Darie and Monica Siroux
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Madalina Barbu: Department of Power Production and Usage, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
George Darie: Department of Power Production and Usage, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Monica Siroux: INSA Strasbourg ICUBE, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) panels combine solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies and generate simultaneously both heat and electricity. This paper looks at the potential of integrating these systems into small domestic prosumer households for the climates of Bucharest, Romania, and Strasbourg, France. First, some brief background information on PVT systems and the concept of prosumers is introduced, highlighting their features as well as the solar energy market setting in Romania and France. Next, a PVT system is proposed for a given household consumer in Strasbourg and Bucharest with the variable weather conditions corresponding to the two locations. The PVT system and the coupled consumer are modelled in TRNSYS (v17, Thermal Energy System Specialists, Madison, USA). A performance analysis is carried out in order to establish the daily instantaneous energy output and the annual energy production. The results indicate a 10–12% better performance in Bucharest compared to Strasbourg due to slightly better weather conditions. The system efficiency was assessed through various methods (first law efficiency and primary energy saving). Depending on the method used, the location and time of year, the results vary from 15% for the first law efficiency to 90% for the primary energy saving efficiency. The most suitable efficiency assessment method for this study was found to be the primary energy saving method, as it takes into account the regional differences in energy production. This study concludes that the Romanian PVT market has a good potential for adopting the technology, especially since it is currently less mature than in France.

Keywords: renewable energy; solar energy; photovoltaic-thermal; micro-cogeneration; prosumer (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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