Numerical modeling and simulation comparisons of a cost efficient novel CPVT Solar Collector
Abstract
In this work, the simulation of a Concentrated PhotoVoltaic Thermal (CPVT) solar collector system has been done by means of Finite Volume Method. The system consists of a parabolic collector, which concentrates solar irradiance onto solar cells, which are refrigerated attaching them to a pipe which contains water. At the same time, water is warmed up. Numerical results were validated with experimental data obtained within the current eranet project for the Economic Cogeneration by Efficiently Concentrated SUNlight (ECOSUN). The idea of this project is to study how to take advantage of the residual heat produced by photovoltaic elements. The CPVT model is oriented to optimize the design for solar cooling applications. Finally, a 1D model is introduced to reduce the computational cost of the simulation for obtaining key parameters.