| Keywords |
PV-Thermal collector ; Performance experiment ; Thermal efficiency ; Electrical efficiency ; PV module temperature |
| Abstract |
The high temperature of PV modules reduces the efficiency of a PV system. In particular, BIPV systems appear to be more vulnerable to the PV module temperature, as they are attached to building surfaces. The PV-Thermal (PVT) collector is a combination of photovoltaic modules with solar thermal collectors, forming one device that utilizes solar radiation and produces electricity and heat simultaneously. The PVT collector can produce more energy per unit surface area than PV modules or solar thermal collectors. This study compared the experimental performance of an unglazed water-type PVT collector and a conventional poly crystalline Si PV module. The electrical and thermal performances were measured in outdoor conditions, and the results were analyzed. The results showed that the thermal efficiency of the PVT collector was 43% average and its electrical efficiency was 13.1% average, marking a total of 56.1% average, whereas the electrical efficiency of the PV module was 12.7% average. It is found that the electrical efficiency of the PVT module was improved by approximately 3% compared to that of the PV module. This is believed to be due to the heat release of the PV module through the thermal collector. |