Validation and Numerical Sensitivity Study of Air Baffle Photovoltaic-Thermal Module

Yu-Jin Kim, Kwang-Seob Lee, Libing Yang, Evgueniy Entchev, Eun-Chul Kang and Euy-Joon Lee
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Yu-Jin Kim: Renewable Energy Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Kwang-Seob Lee: Renewable Energy Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Libing Yang: Natural Resources Canada, CanmetENERGY, Ottawa, ON KIA 1M1, Canada
Evgueniy Entchev: Natural Resources Canada, CanmetENERGY, Ottawa, ON KIA 1M1, Canada
Eun-Chul Kang: Energy Efficiency and Materials Research Department, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Daejeon 34129, Korea
Euy-Joon Lee: Energy Efficiency and Materials Research Department, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Daejeon 34129, Korea

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) is a type of technology that generates electricity and heat simultaneously at the point of use. The generated electricity could be used on site or exported to the grid while the thermal output could be utilized for space and water heating. There is a lot of research for solar air heating with experiment or CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), but CFD has the disadvantage that it would indicate impractical results. In this paper, a numerical PVT baseline model was developed and validated with Separate Effect Test (SET) data to increase reliability. The numerical study was conducted by considering the effect of baffle lengths and baffle slopes on outlet temperature, total heat transfer and pressure drop inside PVT air module. An optimum PVT baffle length and slope design were suggested. The baseline numerical PVT model agreed well with the test data set as indicated by 1.25% error for inlet–outlet temperatures difference. The sensitivity study was conducted by changing the PVT baffle length and slope. The optimum baffle design was concerned with both heat transfer and pressure drop at the same time with ratio. The baffle length should be kept under 150 mm and baffle slope should be greater than 30° to achieve better air mixing in PVT air channel and unit heat transfer compared to baffle slope less than 30°.

Keywords: Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT); numerical study; Separate Effect Test (SET); CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) (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 (4)

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