Performance Assessment of a Photovoltaic-Thermal Roof with Modular Heat Exchanger

This paper presents the thermal performance of a novel photovoltaic-thermal (PV/ T) system conceived for roof integration. The methods of prototype design are described briefly. Main feature of the system is the modular assembly of the metallic heat exchanger, which also serves as self-supporting mounting device for the photovoltaic modules and assumes a static function. The design of the heat exchanger has been optimized by using numerical FEM simulations with regard to both energetic and economic requirements. We investigate the performance of the system by means of long-term measurements on a large- sized PV/T roof prototype equipped with thin film CdTe photovoltaic modules under real weather conditions and at different operation conditions. The evaluation is carried out according to the Standard ISO 9806, focusing on the quasi- dynamic test method. The experimental results (eta(0),(MPP) = 0.66; a(1) = 11.56 W/m(2)K; a(2) = 0.09 W/m(2)K(2); a(3) = 1.26 J/(m(3)K), a(6) = 0.03 s/m) prove the efficient heat transfer from the absorber to the fluid and are in good agreement with the simulations.