Modeling and simulation of Photovoltaic/Thermal hybrid system

Abstract

In this paper an analytical model for a Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) hybrid system is presented. The simulation in this work is based on an analytical model in solving the equations and determining the Photovoltaic (PV) cells characteristics using both MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics. COMSOL is simulating the electromagnetic waves produced by the Sun through solving Maxwell's equations in three dimensions. Beside that COMSOL is used in studying the material absorption capabilities and calculating the material absorption coefficient using its refractive index. In addition to the above a thermal analysis for the PV module and the piping water is presented where the input, output temperatures, rate of heat transfer, overall heat transfer coefficient and thermal efficiency are calculated. As a result, a significant enhancement in the total electrical efficiency is observed with acceptable increased in the output water temperature.