Simulation and Performance Analysis of Air-Type PVT Collector with Interspaced Baffle-PV Cell Design

Abstract

A Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) collector produces heat and electricity simultaneously. Air-type PVT collector uses air as a transfer medium to take heat from PV back side surface. The performance of the air-type PVT collector is affected by design elements such as PV types, inside structures in heat collecting space (baffle or fins), the shape of the air pathway, etc. In this study, an advanced air-type PVT collector was designed with curved baffles (absorber) to improve thermal performance. Within the air-type PVT collector, PV cells were arranged in an interspaced design, and the curved baffles were located in the collecting space to increase heat efficiently. The absorber received solar radiation directly and was utilized as baffles for improving thermal performance. The air-type PVT collector was fabricated and tested in an outdoor environment considering the climatic conditions of Daejeon, Republic of Korea. In addition, based on experiment parameters and data, the annual thermal and electrical performances of the system were analyzed by simulation modeling using the TRNSYS program. Thermal and electrical efficiencies were 37.1% and 6.4% (according to module area) for outdoor test conditions, respectively. Numerical and experimental results were in good agreement with an error of 4% and 0.24% for thermal and electrical efficiencies, respectively. Annual heat gain was 644 kWh th/year, and generated power was 118 kWh el/year.