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Annual operational performance study of a loop-heat-pipe based PV/T system and its economic benefits under four solar resource regions in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yu, Min
  • Zhou, Licheng
  • Zhu, Xiaoling
  • Fu, Junfeng
  • Cao, Xiaoling

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic photothermal (PV/T) technology is capable of simultaneously generating electricity and providing thermal energy, which can significantly improve the comprehensive utilization of solar energy and can cool photovoltaic cells to improve electrical efficiency. This paper aims to study an innovative loop heat pipe based PV/T system for application in different solar resource conditions in China including annual operational performance and economic benefits. This specific system applied PV-bound flat copper tubes array as PV/evaporator and a top-supply-top-return loop heat pipe configuration, which could enhance the temperature uniformity across the PV panel and the efficiencies of solar energy utilization. A verified computational dynamic model was developed to analyze the system annual operational performance in various solar resource regions represented by Garze, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu. Further a life-cycle analytical model was developed to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of this novel system compared to the traditional ones. The results show that the average annual electrical efficiencies of the system are nearly the same in different regions, which were 17 %, 17 %, 16.8 %, and 17.6 % respectively. While the average annual overall efficiencies are 59.5 %, 58.9 %, 54.1 %, and 53 %, respectively. In Garze, Beijing, and Guangzhou, the system's power generation not only meets the demand for heating hot water but also has a surplus. Compared to electric water heaters, the system's lifecycle CO2 reduction is the most significant in Beijing when operated in four regions. The system payback periods were 5.63, 7.46, 8.52, and 12 years, and the life-cycle net benefits were 7659 CNY, 5241 CNY, 4315.5 CNY, and 2423.2 CNY, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu, Min & Zhou, Licheng & Zhu, Xiaoling & Fu, Junfeng & Cao, Xiaoling, 2025. "Annual operational performance study of a loop-heat-pipe based PV/T system and its economic benefits under four solar resource regions in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:339:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225044299
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138787
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    References listed on IDEAS

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