A comparative study between two structures of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors for water pumping systems

Compared to the photo-voltaic (PV) module, the hybrid photo-voltaic/thermal (PV/T) system can utilize solar energy more effectively and can have a higher electrical efficiency. This emerging solar technology allows for the simultaneous conversion of solar energy into both electricity and heat. In this paper, a comparative study between two different structures of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors for water pumping systems, is presented (type A: tube-and-sheet thermal collector, type B: hybrid water collector). In type A, the PV module is encapsulated and is integrated with tube-and-sheet type thermal collector; whereas, in type B, the water channel is on the top of PV module which is attached to the insulation layer. This type of collector combines both air and water as a heat removal medium. The numerical model developed in this work is based on the energy balance equations and allows finding the temperature standards across the different layers of PV/T collectors. The electrical performance of the PV/T modules has been evaluated based on the calculated PV efficiencies. The simulation results showed that the minimal electrical efficiency is 12.7% for type A PV/T module and around 11.7% for type B PV/T.