Exergetic analysis of a new design photovoltaic and thermal (PV/T) System

Photovoltaic (PV) module converts the incoming solar radiation into heat and electric energy. Due to this heating feature of photovoltaic modules, it is likely to produce heat energy from PV modules as well. Such systems are known as photovoltaic and thermal systems in the literature. In this study, a new design PV/T system was experimentally analyzed for cooling photovoltaic modules while heating water at the same time. PV/Tis a forced circulation system without pump. Therefore, these systems are different from those described in the literature. For all PV/T system, step-by-step exergy analysis has been performed according to obtained experimental results. PV module thermal exergy, solar collector thermal exergy, and PV module electrical exergy variations have been calculated for this exergy analysis. Overall, exergy efficiency was obtained as about 17% for 45 degrees C set temperature and 21% for 55 degrees C set temperature. (c) 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1249-1253, 2015