RESEARCH ON A HYBRID PHOTOVOLTAIC THERMAL SOLAR COLLECTOR

Abstract

This paper analyses the characteristics of a dual flow glazed flat plate solar collector using a photovoltaic solar energy conversion module instead of a regular absorber. By exploiting the synergies between the two different collectors, the solar energy conversion efficiency increased to 63±1.20%. Parallel flows of electrical energy (131,41 W·m^-2) and thermal energy (480,42 W·m^-2) were obtained. In addition, the hybrid design of the solar energy conversion module created more suitable operating conditions for the PV module. At 978 ± 1,50 W·m^-2 irradiance and an ambient temperature of 26,6 ± 0,42 °C, the surface temperature of the PV module decreased by 9 °C on average.