Experimental Testing and Seasonal Performance Assessment of a Stationary and Sun-Tracked Photovoltaic–Thermal System

Ewa Kozak-Jagieła, Piotr Cisek (), Adam Pawłowski, Jan Taler and Paweł Albrechtowicz
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Ewa Kozak-Jagieła: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Piotr Cisek: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Adam Pawłowski: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Jan Taler: Department of Energy, Cracow University of Technology, al. Jana Pawła II 37, 31-864 Kraków, Poland
Paweł Albrechtowicz: Department of Electrical Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: This study presents a comparative analysis of the annual performances of stationary and dual-axis sun-tracked photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) systems. The experimental research was conducted at a demonstration site in Oświęcim, Poland, where both systems were evaluated in terms of electricity and heat production. The test installation consisted of thirty stationary PVT modules and five dual-axis sun-tracking systems, each equipped with six PV modules. An innovative cooling system was developed for the PVT modules, consisting of a surface-mounted heat sink installed on the rear side of each panel. The system includes embedded tubes through which a cooling fluid circulates, enabling efficient heat recovery. The results indicated that the stationary PVT system outperformed a conventional fixed PV installation, whose expected output was estimated using PVGIS data. Specifically, the stationary PVT system generated 26.1 kWh/m 2 more electricity annually, representing a 14.8% increase. The sun-tracked PVT modules yielded even higher gains, producing 42% more electricity than the stationary system, with particularly notable improvements during the autumn and winter seasons. After accounting for the electricity consumed by the tracking mechanisms, the sun-tracked PVT system still delivered a 34% higher net electricity output. Moreover, it enhanced the thermal energy output by 85%. The findings contribute to the ongoing development of high-performance PVT systems and provide valuable insights for their optimal deployment in various climatic conditions, supporting the broader integration of renewable energy technologies in building energy systems.

Keywords: photovoltaic–thermal system (PVT); sun-tracked PVT; seasonal performance; renewable energy; experimental assessment (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: 2025
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