Representativeness of an Experimental Photovoltaic-thermal Pvt System Prototype in Relation to a Residential Pvt System Operating Under Real Conditions
Abstract
Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems consist of a photovoltaic (PV) module with a heat exchanger attached to its rear, allowing the simultaneous generation of electricity and thermal energy, thus maximizing the use of solar energy. This study assesses the representativeness of a PVT system prototype with polypropylene (PP) heat exchanger in relation to a residential PVT system. Results showed that the prototype generated 72% of the electrical energy per unit area compared to the residential system. The thermal energy per unit area in the prototype was 15.5% higher than the residential. However, thermal energy per unit area showed that prototype's thermal losses were higher, reaching 51.25% compared to only 13.25% in the residential. Therefore, although the prototype underestimates the residential PVT system’s performance, it remains useful for testing consumption profiles and demonstrating system feasibility.
Keywords
PVT system prototype, residential PVT system, thermal performance, electrical performance