Analysis and Design of an Energy System Based on PV/T Water Collector or Building Application

The efficiency of PV module is improved by combining a PV module and a thermal collector in one unit, resulting in a hybrid photovoltaic and thermal collector (PV/T). The PV/T system is a new solar and thermal technology which can provide simultanuously electrical and thermal energy. This kind of technologies can be used easily according to users demands. The aim of this paper is the design of an energy system based on PV/T collector applied to a habitation. The proposed system in this study consists mainly of the PV/T collector, thermal storage tank, battery and the electrical and thermal loads. Based on the developed model of PV/T system, both the thermal and electrical performances of the collector are investigated and the energy needs for the habitation are determined. The results show that the cogeneration system based on the hybrid collectors PV/T is a complete energy system to supply electricity and heat at home.