Efficiency Analysis of Photo-Voltaic Thermal Air Collectors

In this research, we present an experimental study and a 2D simulation investigation of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector. The proposed model is used to study the thermal effeciency of PV/T air collector and to discuss the air distribution inside the channel of collector. A 2D temporal heat transfer model coupled to laminar flow was solved by software COMSOL Multiphysics. The model considers the air temperature, solar irradiation, and mass flow rate. The simulation shows a good agreement with experimental data logged for the glass temperature, air gap temperature, PV temperature, air temperature inside the channels (PV/T system) and the outlet temperature. The experimental results are well described by the simulation and the numerical methodology can be used to calculate the parameters characterizing the thermal behavior of the collector. Using the realized prototype, thermal efficiency increases with increases of mass flow rate. Further, the PV panel temperature decrease with increases of mass flow rate.