This new paper presents an experimental investigation of a photovoltaic-thermal solar collector (commonly known as PVT) that generates both electricity and heat from the same gross area. PVT solar collectors, in theory, achieve higher combined electrical and heat yields. Additionally, PVT enables a thermal coupling between PV cells and a heat transfer cooling medium. Electrical and thermal outdoor testing measurements have been performed on a low concentration PVT solar collector based on a parabolic reflector geometry with a wedge PVT receiver. Several outdoor experiments have been carried out and presented, such as daily instantaneous electrical and thermal performance efficiency diagrams, as well as optical efficiency charts. Moreover, an electrical Incidence Angle Modifier (for both transversal and longitudinal directions) assessment has been performed and presented. Furthermore, an overall heat loss coefficient of 4.1 W/m².°C has been attained. A measured thermal optical and electrical efficiency of 59% and 8% have been achieved, respectively. Additionally, the placement of the wedge receiver shown to be very sensitive to high incidence angles, as the electrical transversal Incidence Angle Modifier factor decreases significantly after reaching its electrical peak efficiency at 10°.

Diogo Cabral, João Gomes, Abolfazl Hayati, Björn Karlsson (2021) Experimental investigation of a CPVT collector coupled with a wedge PVT receiver, Solar Energy, Volume 215, Pages 335-345, ISSN 0038-092X,

Publication is available here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.12.038

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