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Thermal Aspects of Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Collectors. Tim Anderson Deparment of Engineering University of Waikato. Solar Energy and NZ. New Zealand land mass conservatively collects 1.4x10 21 J per year
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Thermal Aspects ofPhotovoltaic/Thermal Solar Collectors Tim Anderson Deparment of Engineering University of Waikato
Solar Energy and NZ • New Zealand land mass conservatively collects 1.4x1021 J per year • An average house rooftop of 150m2 collects 2.2x108 Wh per year ie. 20 to 30 times the house’s total requirements. • Hamilton receives ~5000 MJ/m2/year
Solar Thermal Photovoltaics Existing Solar Technologies Source: www.solahart.com.au Source: www.bpsolar.com
Solar Thermal + Photovoltaics = PVT What is a Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Collector + =
PVT Collectors • Photovoltaic and solar thermal in a single device: Cogeneration of heat and power • PV-cellefficiency decreases with increasing temperature • Efficiency of PV cells increased by active cooling • Area dedicated to solar energy devices can be reduced
PV Module Air Insulation PVT Air Heating • Simple • Cheap • Cavity formed behind a PV panel • Provides reasonable air heating
Cover PV Module Water Tube Insulation PVT Water Heating Systems • Could look very similar to a “standard” solar thermal collector • Simple • Typically better efficiencies than air heating • Suitable for heating over wide range of temperatures
Market for PVT Systems • Solar thermal collector market in Australia and New Zealand was growing at a rate of 19% per annum • Market for photovoltaic solar collectors has experienced a very high rate of growth during the last decade • PVT systems could meet the entire European PV quota while also providing 30% of the solar thermal target • Largest market is the domestic sector • Short to medium term PVT will find “niche market” applications Source: International Energy Agency (Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme), 2005, Trends in Photovoltaic Applications - Survey report of selected IEA countries between 1992 and 2004, Report IEA-PVPS T1-14:2005
University of Waikato PVT Research • University of Waikato is conducting research into Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (BIPVT) collectors • BIPVT is the use of PVT as building elements such as roofing or façade • Compromise between thermal, electrical and building needs • Thermal and electrical performance of a typical BIPVT collector has been modelled, using a modified Hottel-Whillier method (i.e. as a standard flat plate solar collector)
BIPVT Implementation • Unglazed BIPVT • Glazed BIPVT • Standard roofing profile • Standard roofing materials
What does it all mean? • TMY can be used for long term simulation of solar energy devices such as PVT • PVT modelling used for design modifications – empirical validation in progress • Modelling shows that to improve the BIPVT collector we could: use less PV cells, try to improve PV cell optical efficiency, reduce insulation
Where to from here? • Long term modelling of BIPVT • Empirical validation of design model • Develop correlation to predict heat loss from BIPVT due to natural convection in attic space behind collector (Experimental and CFD)