3D Numerical Study and Parametric Analysis of PV/T Design Effect on Thermal and Electrical Performance
Received: 10 March 2024 | Revised: 20 March 2024 | Accepted: 30 March 2024 | Online: 1 June 2024
Corresponding author: Mohamed Fterich
Abstract
This paper explores the influence of design variations on the electrical and thermal efficiencies of PV/T (Photovoltaic-Thermal) systems. Utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics, three different PVT configurations with varying air duct designs were studied. The results demonstrated significant enhancements in both electrical and thermal efficiencies, with the PVT-3 configuration outperforming PVT-1 and PVT-2. Specifically, PVT-3, incorporating fin-shaped air ducts, exhibited the lowest recorded panel temperature of 55 °C, indicating improved electrical efficiency and thermal performance. Also, PVT-3 achieved the highest average thermal efficiency of 46.35% and the best electrical performance of 13.91%. Furthermore, the study highlights ameliorated airflow dynamics and uniformity within the ducts, particularly with the redesigned air inlet. These findings underscore the importance of design innovations in optimizing temperature management and energy output in PVT systems. It is worth noting that the tests were conducted under identical operating conditions, including air velocity, inlet temperature, ambient temperature, and solar irradiation.
Keywords:
PV/T air collector, air ducts, 3D numerical simulation, Comsol Multiphysics, heat transfer, electrical characteristicsDownloads
References
M. Fterich, H. Chouikhi, H. Bentaher, and A. Maalej, "Experimental parametric study of a mixed-mode forced convection solar dryer equipped with a PV/T air collector," Solar Energy, vol. 171, pp. 751–760, Sep. 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2018.06.051
M. Fterich, H. Chouikhi, S. Ghorbel, H. Bentaher, S. Sandoval-Torres, and A. Maalej, "Numerical and Experimental Study of Solar Dryer Equipped with PV/T," Tehnički Vjesnik, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 896–906, Apr. 2022.
J. L. Holechek, H. M. E. Geli, M. N. Sawalhah, and R. Valdez, "A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?," Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 8, Jan. 2022, Art. no. 4792. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792
D. J. Soeder, "Greenhouse gas sources and mitigation strategies from a geosciences perspective," Advances in Geo-Energy Research, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 274–285, Sep. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2021.03.04
A. L. Cowie et al., "Applying a science-based systems perspective to dispel misconceptions about climate effects of forest bioenergy," GCB Bioenergy, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 1210–1231, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12844
L. Gustavsson, T. Nguyen, R. Sathre, and U. Y. A. Tettey, "Climate effects of forestry and substitution of concrete buildings and fossil energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 136, Feb. 2021, Art. no. 110435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110435
P. Saosee, B. Sajjakulnukit, and S. H. Gheewala, "Environmental externalities of wood pellets from fast-growing and para-rubber trees for sustainable energy production: A case in Thailand," Energy Conversion and Management: X, vol. 14, May 2022, Art. no. 100183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2022.100183
T. Singh et al., "Emerging technologies for the development of wood products towards extended carbon storage and CO2 capture," Carbon Capture Science & Technology, vol. 4, Sep. 2022, Art. no. 100057. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2022.100057
M. M. Akrofi, "An analysis of energy diversification and transition trends in Africa," International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–12, Mar. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-020-00101-5
M. Li, M. Ahmad, Z. Fareed, T. Hassan, and D. Kirikkaleli, "Role of trade openness, export diversification, and renewable electricity output in realizing carbon neutrality dream of China," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 297, Nov. 2021, Art. no. 113419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113419
C. Magazzino, M. Mele, N. Schneider, and U. Shahzad, "Does export product diversification spur energy demand in the APEC region? Application of a new neural networks experiment and a Decision Tree model," Energy and Buildings, vol. 258, Mar. 2022, Art. no. 111820. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111820
P. Siemiński, J. Hadyński, J. Lira, and A. Rosa, "Regional Diversification of Electricity Consumption in Rural Areas of Poland," Energies, vol. 14, no. 24, Jan. 2021, Art. no. 8532. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248532
G. Ślusarz, B. Gołębiewska, M. Cierpiał-Wolan, J. Gołębiewski, D. Twaróg, and S. Wójcik, "Regional Diversification of Potential, Production and Efficiency of Use of Biogas and Biomass in Poland," Energies, vol. 14, no. 3, Jan. 2021, Art. no. 742. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030742
M. T. Alkhayyat, Z. S. Mohammed, and A. J. Ali, "Performance improvement of stand-alone induction generator using distribution SSC for wind power application," Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 589–601, Apr. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11591/eei.v11i2.2730
Y.-H. Ha and S. S. Kumar, "Investigating decentralized renewable energy systems under different governance approaches in Nepal and Indonesia: How does governance fail?," Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 80, Oct. 2021, Art. no. 102214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102214
K. Kang, N. B. Klinghoffer, I. ElGhamrawy, and F. Berruti, "Thermochemical conversion of agroforestry biomass and solid waste using decentralized and mobile systems for renewable energy and products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 149, Oct. 2021, Art. no. 111372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111372
M. Moner-Girona, G. Kakoulaki, G. Falchetta, D. J. Weiss, and N. Taylor, "Achieving universal electrification of rural healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized renewable energy technologies," Joule, vol. 5, no. 10, pp. 2687–2714, Oct. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.09.010
A. Q. Jakhrani, A. R. Jatoi, M. M. Jakhrani, A. N. Laghari, and S. A. Kamboh, "Appraisal of Climatic Conditions for Potential Solar Energy Applications in Nawabshah and Quetta Cities," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 3711–3714, Feb. 2019. Zeghib and A. Chaker, "Efficiency of a Solar Hydronic Space Heating System under the Algerian Climate," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 1274–1279, Dec. 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.2472
M. N. Hanani, J. Sampe, J. Jaffar, and N. H. M. Yunus, "Development of a Hybrid Solar and Waste Heat Thermal Energy Harvesting System," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 10680–10684, Jun. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.5561
Downloads
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ahmed Saad Eddine Souissi, Majed Masmali, Mohamed Fterich, Ezzeddinne Toutti, Houssam Chouikhi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) after its publication in ETASR with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.