Hybrid PVTh Panel optimisation using a Femlab/Matlab/Simulink approach

A PVTh hybrid solar panel, made up of polycrystalline silicon cells and a heat exchanger, has been designed and developed and its performance is now being tested. The solar cells, glued to glass and with an average yield of 16 -18% and total area of 0.69 m², are laminated to a flat aluminium heat exchanger using the simple and cheap roll-bond reg technology. This hybrid panel works well as a solar heat collector, since it allows water temperatures in excess of 60degC to be attained, whereas the electrical characteristics of the photovoltaic module display high temperature-dependency. Our numerical approach has two aspects to it: 1)Numerical optimisation of the exchanger to minimise the effect of temperature on the electrical yield at the same time as ensuring good thermal yields. 2) Creation of a tool to aid selection of PVTh panels based on their yields under virtual operation.