Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

The heat from PV modules should be removed for better electrical performance, and can be converted into useful thermal energy. A photovoltaic-thermal(PVT) module is a combination of PV module with a solar thermal collector which forms one device that converts solar radiation into electricity and hea...

The heat from PV modules should be removed for better electrical performance, and can be converted into useful thermal energy. A photovoltaic-thermal(PVT) module is a combination of PV module with a solar thermal collector which forms one device that converts solar radiation into electricity and heat simultaneously. In general, there are two different types of PVT module: glazed PVT module and unglazed PVT module. On the other hand, two types of the PVT module can be distinguished according to absorber on PV module rear side: the sheet-and-tube absorber PVT module and the fully wetted absorber PVT module. In this paper, the experimental performance of water type unglazed PVT with fully wetted absorber was analyzed. The electrical and thermal performance of the unglazed PVT were measured in outdoor conditions, and the results were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the thermal efficiency of the PVT module was 42% average, and its electrical efficiencies were 15.2% and 14.2% average, respectively, for the mean fluid temperature of $10-20^{\circ}C$ and $21-30^{\circ}C$. Thermal efficiency depends on solar radiation, mean fluid temperature and ambient temperature. The PVT module temperature is related to the cooling effect of the PV module by the fluid of the absorber. The results proved that the electrical efficiency was higher when the mean fluid temperature was lower.