CFD Analysis and Electrical Efficiency Improvement of a Hybrid PV/T Panel Cooled by Forced Air Circulation

Abstract

The thermal and electrical efficiency of a custom-designed PV/T panel cooled by forced air circulation was investigated by experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Experiments were carried out with four different array configurations, under constant irradiation of 1100 W/m2 and 3 different air velocities (3.3 m/s, 3.9 m/s, and 4.5 m/s). The heat transfer surface area and forced air circulation are known to positively affect the total heat transfer, and therefore, it is foreseeable that an increased number of fins and higher air velocities will help maintain the electrical efficiency of the panel at higher levels. The main objective of this study is to determine the critical threshold for the abovementioned parameters as well as to show how important parameters, such as fin arrangement and consequent turbulent air flows, are for satisfying the heat removal needs. Highest efficiency was achieved with a 108 pc type 1 arrangement at 12.02% as expected. Nevertheless, while the 108 pc type 2 arrangement could maintain the electrical efficiency at 11.81%, a close level of 11.55% could be obtained with a 54 pc type 2 arrangement. Experimental results are compared with ANSYS Fluent program, and the effect of the number and arrangement of the fins on the efficiency of the panel has been shown.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Air Cooling for Photovoltaic Panels Using Aluminum Heat Sinks

“…As a result, the average temperature of PV panels with heat sinks was lower than in PV panels without heat sinks. Research by Omeroglu [36] revealed a similar result where the heat sink configuration affected the air velocity and heat transfer rate from a PV panel to the surrounding environment. Popovici et al [23] demonstrated that the orientation and direction of the fin in the heat sink also affected the air temperature distribution.…”

Influence of Narrow Rectangular Channel ( AR = 1 : 4 ) on Heat Transfer and Friction for V- and W-Shaped Ribs in Turbine Blade Applications

“…Blasius equation for Turbulent Friction factor in smooth circular pipe is denoted by Eq. ( 11) and the same referred in Omeroglu [19] and Deng et al [25].…”

“…Nusselt number ratio used by Omeroglu [19] and Deng et al [25] for evaluating the augmentation is represented in Nu Nu o : ð9Þ…”

“…For constant pumping power, thermohydraulic performance is determined from Eq. (12) used by Omeroglu [19] and Deng et al [25].…”

“…Aboghrara et al [18] reiterated the fact that heat transfer due to convection can be enhanced by incrementing the contact area and also by increasing the turbulent mixing by introducing roughness elements in the flow path. Omeroglu [19] evaluated the thermal enhancement inside a photovoltaic/thermal collector by using fin turbulators. The author established that with increase in Reynolds International Journal of Photoenergy number, heat transfer increased; however, thermal performance decreased.…”