Scenario-Based Multi-Objective Optimization of an Air-Based Building-Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal System

Abstract

In this paper, a genetic algorithm-based multi-objective optimization of a building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) system is carried out to find the best system configurations which lead to maximum energetic and exergetic performances for Kermanshah, Iran climatic condition. In the proposed BIPV/T system, the cooling potential of ventilation and exhaust airs are used in buildings for cooling the PV panels and also heating the ventilation air by heat rejection of PV panels. Four scenarios with various criteria in the form of system efficiencies and useful outputs are considered to reflect all possible useful outputs in the optimization procedure. This study models a glazed BIPV/T system with various collector areas (Apv=10,15,25,and30m2) and different length to width ratio (L/W=0.5,1,1.5,and2) to determine the optimum air mass flow rate, bottom heat loss coefficient, depth of the channel as well as the optimum depth of the air gap between PV panel and glass cover that maximize two defined objective functions in different scenarios. Results showed that using fourth scenario (with the annual total useful thermal and electrical outputs as objective functions) and first scenario (with the annual average first- and second-law efficiencies as objective functions) for optimizing the proposed BIPV/T system leads to the highest amount of useful thermal and overall outputs, respectively. Moreover, it was concluded that, if the electrical output of the system is more important than the thermal output, the first scenario gives better results.

Energy and economic evaluation and multicriteria optimization of different arrangements of integrated photovoltaic thermal and heat recovery wheel system

“…Various studies have shown that placing a glass cover on PV panels results in improved thermal performance and reduced electrical performance of the PV/T collector. 16,17,25 A review of the literature reveals that the performance of glazed BIPV/T-HRW unit has not been studied so far. Therefore, our next study will be devoted to the energy and exergy analysis of the glazed BIPV/T-HRW units.…”

“…Kermanshah is the capital of Kermanshah province in the western part of Iran and enjoys mountainous moderate climate. The mean annual solar radiation in Kermanshah is about 7.1 GJ per square meter, and thus, it features awesome potential in sun powered vitality frameworks …”

“…The mean annual solar radiation in Kermanshah is about 7.1 GJ per square meter, and thus, it features awesome potential in sun powered vitality frameworks. 16,17 2 | SYSTEM DESCRIPTION In this research, the energetic and economic performances of two different arrangements of the BIPV/T-HRW unit have been investigated and compared. Hereafter, the system investigated by Khanmohammadi et al [22][23][24] will be named arrangement (I) and the arrangement introduced in the present study will be named arrangement (II).…”

“…Various investigators have examined the thermal and electrical performances of the BIPV/T units. Shahsavar et al performed a series of studies on the energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic assessment as well as the multiobjective optimization of a novel BIPV/T collector with and without a glass cover. The performance of their proposed system varied on hot and cold days.…”

Machine learning predictive models for optimal design of building‐integrated photovoltaic‐thermal collectors

“…Besides, the heated fluid can be actually used in various applications depending on the form of heat energy (water or air). Many studies throughout the world have been done so far to study the performance of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors by all means of analytical solutions, experimental measurements, and numerical simulations . The aim of analytical solutions is to simplify the process of performance estimation, while experimental studies provide a more realistic approach in view of the environmental and operating conditions.…”