Energy and exergy analyses of photovoltaic thermal collector with ∇-groove

• Published in: Solar energy 2018-01, Vol.159, p.742-750
• Main Authors: Fudholi, Ahmad, Zohri, Muhammad, Jin, Goh Li, Ibrahim, Adnan, Yen, Chan Hoy, Othman, Mohd Yusof, Ruslan, Mohd Hafidz, Sopian, Kamaruzzaman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy analysis; Energy balance; Exergy; Exergy analysis; Flow rates; Improvement potential; Mass flow; Mathematical model; Mathematical models; Matrix; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Solar energy; Thermodynamics
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.11.056

•The developed steady-state model predicting the performances of photovoltaic thermal collector with ∇-groove is presented.•The predicted results are consistent with the results obtained from the experiments based on energy and exergy analyses.•Exergy analysis was performed to determine the effect of various solar radiations (300–1200 W/m2).•The efficiencies and improvement potential for various mass flow rates and solar radiations were obtained. Steady-state energy analysis was performed on a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector with ∇-groove. Energy balance equation was obtained using the analytical and the matrix inversion methods. Theoretical results were consistent with the experiments results. Theoretical and experimental studies were conducted under solar radiations of 385 and 820 W/m2 and mass flow rates between 0.007 and 0.07 kg/s. Exergy analysis was performed to determine the effect of various solar radiations (300–1200 W/m2). On the other hand, exergy analysis was performed to obtain loss exergy, PVT exergy efficiency, and improvement potential under solar radiations of 385 and 820 W/m2 and mass flow rates between 0.007 and 0.07 kg/s.