Performance of floating photovoltaic/thermal system: Experimental assessment

Abstract

Summary An unfamiliar design of photovoltaic (PV)/solar pond was presented in the article. This design integrated the floating PV panel technology with the solar pond technology. This new design is called the Floating Photovoltaic Solar Pond (FPVSP). The design aims to reduce water evaporation from water bodies, cool solar panels, and store solar energy in the pond. To assess the effectiveness of the innovative system, two experimental models were built for this purpose. The first model includes the PV/thermal collector floating upon the pond and the second model is a solar panel with the same specifications of the solar panel for the first model. The outcomes confirmed that the presence of the glass cover increases the overall efficiency of the system, the temperature of the floating solar panel, and the average water temperature of the solar pond. Also, the glass cover reduces the electrical efficiency of the solar panel. The increase in the depth of the pond slightly affected the solar panel temperature for the glazed and un‐glazed systems and decreased the water temperature of the solar pond. On the other hand, increasing the depth of the pond rises the electrical generation from the solar panels. The angle of inclination of the floating solar panel over the pond was an influential factor in determining the electric power produced. Finally, the proposed system recorded a high energy efficiency of 49% compared to the efficiency of the classical solar ponds, which does not exceed 20%.

Comparative Evaluation of a Conventional and Photovoltaic/Thermal-Integrated Solar Distiller under Iraqi Climatic Conditions

“…The heat exchanger affixed to the solar panel was crafted from an iron tube with a square cross-section, dimensions of 1.5×1.5 cm, and was securely attached to the panel's rear (Figure 4). The PV/T collector was encased in a wooden box, isolated from the sides and back with glass wool, possessing a thermal conductivity of 0.038 W/m• K [29]. A galvanized iron plate was affixed to the rear of the solar panel post-installation within the box.…”

Performance augmentation of photovoltaic solar chimneys using asphalt material

“…The maximum value of energy production from the chimney was about 50 kW. 10,11 Described as the Spanish prototype for determining energy output in 1982; this model features a glass cover radius of roughly 122 m and a chimney that is 194.6 m long and 5.08 m in diameter. 12 This model featured a one-turbine mechanism with four rotating blades and was in use from 1982 until 1989.…”

“…Schleich designed the prototype of SC in Manzanares, Spain in 1982 and lasted for more than 7 years (Figure 1). The maximum value of energy production from the chimney was about 50 kW 10,11 . Described as the Spanish prototype for determining energy output in 1982; this model features a glass cover radius of roughly 122 m and a chimney that is 194.6 m long and 5.08 m in diameter 12 .…”

An Experimental Study to Improve the Performance of a Solar Still Using Solar Collectors

“…It includes wave energy, the energy of temperature differences in ocean waters, and geothermal energy. Scientists define renewable energy as energy generated from the combustion of agricultural and household waste [5].…”