Energy and exergy analysis of hybrid photovoltaic thermal water collector for constant collection temperature mode

• Published in: Solar energy 2013-04, Vol.90, p.58-67
• Main Authors: Mishra, R.K., Tiwari, G.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Characteristic equation; Constant collection temperature; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electric power plants; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electricity generation; Energy; Energy and exergy; Exact sciences and technology; Miscellaneous; Natural energy; Photoelectric conversion; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaic thermal; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Thermal energy; Thermodynamics
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2012.12.022

► Development of characteristic equations of hybrid PVT water collector for constant collection temperature mode. ► Comparison of the results of FPC with hybrid PVT water heating system. ► Effect of covered area of FPC by PV module on electrical energy performance of hybrid PVT system. This paper deals with the analysis of hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) water collectors under constant collection temperature mode unlike constant flow rate mode. The analysis has been carried out in terms of thermal energy, electrical energy and exergy gain for two different configurations namely case A (collector partially covered by PV module) and case B (collector fully covered by PV module). The results are compared with the conventional flat plate collector (FPC). The effect of collector area covered by PV module on the performance of hybrid PVT water collector has been studied. The characteristic equations have also been developed for both the cases. It has been observed that case A is more favorable for thermal energy point of view, while case B is suitable for electricity generation. On the basis of the numerical calculations the annual thermal energy gain is found to be 4167.3 and 1023.7 and annual net electrical energy gain is 320.65 and 1377.63 for cases A and B respectively. The annual overall thermal energy gain is decreased by 9.48% and an annual overall exergy gain is increased by 39.16% from case A to case B.