Use of Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV/T) Solar Modules for Enhancing Overall System Efficiency

Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal systems, also called as PV/T systems or solar cogeneration systems, are innovative power generation technologies that convert solar radiation into usable thermal and electrical energy. Such systems combine a solar cell, which convert sunlight into electricity, with a solar thermal collector, which captures the remaining energy and removes waste heat from PV module. PV/T systems have a greater overall performance than the PV systems and solar thermal systems separately. In order to improve the performance of PV/T systems a lot of the studies have been done and researchers still keep on investigating these systems.A comprehensive review on these previous research studies are presented here. Many methods and approaches to enhance the performance of the PV/T systems are discussed along with the mathematical models used. The gaps in existing literature are identified and recommendations for future research are precisely outlined. It is emphasized here that only few experimental studies on PV/T systems based nanofluid materials are exist. Therefore, comprehensive experimental studies under real atmospheric conditions should be done with these systems, without neglecting effects of variations in mass flow rate of nanofluids.