Simulation of a Hybrid System Consisting of a Photoelectric Solar Energy Converter and a Water-heating Device

Abstract

Abstract. The combination of a photovoltaic solar energy converter and a collector for heating water is an efficient system. Compared to well-known water heaters, this hybrid system has a number of advantages, including smaller dimensions, lower operating temperature of the coolant, significant increasing in system efficiency, while generating electricity and heating water for heating at the same time. When compared with other systems that combine a photovoltaic module and a water heating device, this system has a simpler structure, which greatly reduces production costs and maintenance of the system. Experimental data on the operation of a hybrid system — a photoelectric converter and a water-heating device mainly took into account stationary systems, which made it possible to obtain data on the characteristics of the system over a sufficiently long period, most often for a year or more. However, this approach does not allow taking into account constantly changing factors, such as illumination, water flows, etc. This article discusses a dynamic thermal model of a hybrid system — a photoelectric converter and a water-heating device, which can be applied for practical analysis of such a hybrid system. The proposed model makes it possible to evaluate the instantaneous characteristics of a hybrid system, to determine at any time the performance of the system, the state of its components, and, ultimately, under certain conditions, to carry out a comprehensive thermal calculation of the hybrid system. Relationships that can estimate the thermal and electrical efficiency of a hybrid system are obtained.