Mathematical modeling of a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector

Abstract

Even though the performance of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) panels had been examined both computationally and experimentally for some time, the thermal models created in earlier research were mostly steady-state models for estimating the annual yields. In this study, the solar thermal collector and photovoltaic (PV) cells are combined to create the PV/T collector, and water-ethylene glycol is utilized as a coolant to lower the temperature of the PV panels. The goal of this study is to analyze a water-ethylene glycol-based PV/T collector numerically. Time-dependent dynamic analyzes were performed using the MATLAB software program. Investigations were also done into how the electrical power produced and the temperatures of the fluid outlet and PV/T surface changed over time. As a result of the annual analysis, the maximum power of PV/T is calculated as 155 W. Also, the maximum surface temperature of PV/T panel’s is 56.62°C.