A numerical Approach of Three Hybrid Systems Based on Photovoltaic /thermal (PV/T) Air Solar collector

The present work aimed to enhance the heat transfer rate of two-panel surface temperatures through passive air-cooling. A comparison of three modes alternatively cooled from the front side (PV/T-I), from the backside (PV/T-II), and from both sides (PV/T-III), to improve the heat transfer by laminar natural convection of a hybrid system PV/T air collector. A numerical simulation was developed to solve the continuity, momentum, and energy equations by using the finite volume method. The modified Rayleigh numbers affect the heat transfer rate, whose values ranged between $10\lt \mathrm{R}\mathrm{a}^{\star}\lt 1000$ was analysed. The obtained numerical results have been validated with previous experimental work, and the best agreement has been obtained. The current numerical results show that the mode (PV/T-III) of double-pass has a better heat transfer rate than other modes by about 111% compared to the first mode (PV/T-I). Correlations equations of the average Nusselt numbers were presented.