Energy performance of a low-cost PhotoVoltaic/Thermal (PVT) collector with and without thermal insulation

International Conference on the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Development

生态环境科学

Calise, F.^1 ; Figaj, R.D.^2 ; Vanoli, L.^3

Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, Naples

80125, Italy^1

Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale IS.C4, Naples

80143, Italy^2

Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, V. Di Biasio 43, Cassino

03043, Italy^3

关键词: Computational domains;    Energy performance;    Finite volume model;    Insulation layers;    Insulation materials;    Mass and energy balance;    Performance analysis;    Photovoltaic/thermal;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/214/1/012116/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1755-1315/214/1/012116

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

In this paper the performance analysis of a low cost/tech PhotoVoltaic/Thermal (PVT) solar collector is presented. The unit under investigation consists of a commercially available flat-plate hybrid unit, based on the use of a polycrystalline PV module and a roll-bond aluminium absorber. The unit is not equipped with any back/frame insulation and glass cover/air layer. A one-dimensional finite-volume model is developed in order to analyse the collector performance. The computational domain is discretized along the longitudinal flow direction of the collector, and mass and energy balance equations are used. This paper is based on a previous work, where the standard PVT collector configuration, without any back insulation, is experimentally and numerically analysed. Here, a possible integration of back insulation layer is analysed numerically considering different insulation materials and thicknesses. In particular, the available experimental data is used in order to simulate the operation of the collector with different back insulation configurations. A comparison between standard and insulated configurations is performed. The performance is also analysed along the discretization direction for all considered configurations. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to compare the performance of the several collector configurations as a function of the main design/operation parameters.