On the Development of the Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal (PVT) Collector

The solar photovoltaic and thermal (PVT) collector is a device which converts solar energy into thermal and electrical energies simultaneously. The PVT collector can be used whenever both electricity and hot water are required, for example, for domestic uses. It is a known fact that the efficiency of the solar (photovoltaic) cells decreases as operating temperatures increase. Therefore, a better and a more efficient use of these cells, calls for cooling the cells. One method for doing that is to use a heat exchange system, which cools the cells by means of a heat absorbing medium, such as water, flowing in pipes. The heat removed from the cells results in hot water. Another advantage of the PVT collector is its higher overall efficiency per unit area and lower packaging costs due to its compact design. In this paper a theoretical analysis of the PVT collector using a simulation model is presented. In this model the PVT collector is divided into a matrix of ``small´´ PVT collector units, each one consisting of several layers. The energy balance of each ``small´´ PVT collector unit is studied by analysis of the energies entering and leaving each one of its layers. Later, the process is applied to the PVT collector itself. A PVT collector was designed and constructed and putthru a series of experiments under varying load conditions, insolation levels and other climatological conditions.