Double-Pass Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Air Collector with Compound Parabolic Concentrator and Fins

Abstract

A solar energy heat collector was combined with photovoltaic cells to form one single hybrid energy generating unit. This system produces both thermal and electrical energies simultaneously. An experimental setup of a double-pass photovoltaic-thermal solar air collector with a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) and fins was designed and fabricated to study the performance over a range of operating conditions. The collector is designed in such a way that the absorber surface is partially covered by solar cells. A CPC is used to enhance more electrical and thermal energy output from the collector. However, solar cells perform poorly at high operating temperatures. Therefore, fins are attached at the back side of the absorber surface to improve this situation. A circulating air stream passes through an upper channel and then under the absorber plate or lower channel of the collector carrying away the excess heat and thus maintaining the cells at the optimum operating conditions. The performance of the system has been measured. The thermal, electrical, and combined electrical thermal efficiencies of the collector are presented and discussed.