Experimental investigation of the novel BIPV/T system employing micro-channel flat-plate heat pipes

Abstract

In this paper, the micro-channel flat-plate heat pipes-based BIPV/T system has been proposed, which is expected to have the characteristics, e.g. reduced contact thermal resistance, enhanced heat transfer area, improved heat transfer efficiency and building integration. The proposed system was constructed at the laboratory of Guangdong University of Technology (China) to study its performance. The temperatures of the glass cover, PV panel, micro-channel flat-plate heat pipes, and tank water were measured, as well as the ambient temperature. The thermal and electrical efficiency was also calculated for the system operated under the conditions with different simulated radiations and water flow rates. It was found that the proposed system can achieve the maximum average overall efficiency of 50.4% (thermal efficiency of 45.9% and electrical efficiency of 4.5%) for the simulated radiation of 300 W/m2 and water flow rate of 600 L/h. By comparing the proposed system with the two previous systems employing the conventional heat pipes, the thermal efficiency of the proposed system was clearly improved. The research will develop an innovative BIPV/T technology possessing high thermal conduction capability and high thermal efficiency compared with the conventional BIPV/T system, and helps realise the global targets of reducing carbon emission and saving primary energy in buildings. Practical application: This novel BIPV/T employing micro-channel flat-plate heat pipes will be potentially used in buildings to provide amount of electricity and thermal energy. The generated electricity will be used by the residents for electrical devices, and the thermal energy can be used for hot water, even for space heating and cooling.