Performance of double pass PV/T combi solar collector with CPC: Theoretical approach

This paper presents an improved design of PV/T solar collector integrated with double pass air channel and a square stainless steel water tube. A theoretical approach and mathematical model have been suggested and developed to study the performance of the combined system. The equations governed from the steady-state one-dimensional energy balance analysis were analyzed using linear system solution of the matrix inverse function. The simulation has been tested in a system operated independently and simultaneously. The highest thermal, electrical and combine efficiencies predicted were 53.3%, 13.26% and 88.19%, respectively at the optimum value of 0.02 kg/s water mass flow rate and 0.07 kg/s air mass flow rate. Based on the analysis, the double pass and double fluids configuration deliberated in this study were seen as promising in order to optimize solar energy utilization. The idea of combining air and water as the heat exchanger medium is theoretically found as feasible.