IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v341y2025ics0360544225051035.html

Experimental and numerical study of Tesla valve integration in photovoltaic/thermal system

Author

Listed:
  • Marzouk, S. A.
  • Almehmadi, Fahad Awjah
  • Aljabr, Ahmad
  • Alshammari, Saad
  • Sharaf, Maisa A.

Abstract

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems are pivotal technologies for simultaneously generating electrical energy and recovering waste heat through integrated thermal collectors. Improving the efficiency of PV/T systems is crucial for their widespread adoption across various applications. It is essential to investigate temperature non-uniformities, pressure losses, and fluid–thermal interactions in PV/T systems. This study investigates the performance of PV/T systems utilizing longitudinal passes and Tesla valve passes, both experimentally and numerically, and compares them with a conventional photovoltaic system. The findings reveal significant performance improvements in PV/T systems equipped with Tesla valve passes. Specifically, the Tesla valve channel enhances electrical power generation by 25.6 %, while the longitudinal and Tesla valve passes increase electrical efficiency by 13.3 % and 23 %, respectively. Moreover, the Tesla valve channel raises the outlet water temperature by 2.5 %, effectively lowering the solar panel's surface temperature. A 7.2 % improvement in thermal efficiency is observed with the Tesla valve channel compared to the longitudinal passes. The notable performance of the Tesla valve channel is recognized to its unique geometry, which increases the heat transfer area and promotes effective flow mixing, thereby enhancing heat transfer. The Tesla valve enhances the electrical efficiency by approximately 9.68 % compared to the longitudinal passes. Moreover, the Tesla valve configurations establish 6.74 % higher net energy gains than the longitudinal flow channels. Furthermore, excellent agreement between numerical simulations and experimental results validates the reliability of the study's methodologies, providing a valuable reference for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Marzouk, S. A. & Almehmadi, Fahad Awjah & Aljabr, Ahmad & Alshammari, Saad & Sharaf, Maisa A., 2025. "Experimental and numerical study of Tesla valve integration in photovoltaic/thermal system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225051035
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139461
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225051035
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139461?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hui Guo & Shaopeng Tian & Long Wang & Congda Xiao & Yuxin Pan & Wenlong Xie & Shujin Yang, 2024. "Influence of Structural Parameters of Tesla Valve Flow Field on Performance of Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Chow, T.T., 2010. "A review on photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 365-379, February.
    3. Biswas, Rohit & Tripathy, Punyadarshini Punam, 2024. "Thermal and electrical performance evaluation of single and double pass photovoltaic-thermal solar collector with cross-flow baffles and varying transparency: A computational analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    4. Gu, Jinshou & Liu, Xiaomin & Yang, Linyan & Chai, Yune & Wei, Wei & Yang, Xudong & Liu, Yerui & Li, Jinping, 2025. "Comparative experimental analysis of three Bi-fluid composite cooling configurations in micro heat pipe PV/T system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    5. Peng, Qi & Li, Daifeng & Sun, Xiaoqin & Li, Jie & Zhou, Yaping & Zeng, Liping, 2025. "Experimental and numerical investigation on photovoltaic/thermal characteristics of an integrated PV/T-PCM system with metal fin and heat exchange pipe," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    6. Qian, Jin-yuan & Chen, Min-rui & Gao, Zhi-xin & Jin, Zhi-jiang, 2019. "Mach number and energy loss analysis inside multi-stage Tesla valves for hydrogen decompression," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 647-654.
    7. Fan, Wenke & Kokogiannakis, Georgios & Ma, Zhenjun & Cooper, Paul, 2017. "Development of a dynamic model for a hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector – Solar air heater with fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 816-834.
    8. Rawat, Rahul & Kaushik, S.C. & Lamba, Ravita, 2016. "A review on modeling, design methodology and size optimization of photovoltaic based water pumping, standalone and grid connected system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1506-1519.
    9. Quynh M. Nguyen & Joanna Abouezzi & Leif Ristroph, 2021. "Early turbulence and pulsatile flows enhance diodicity of Tesla’s macrofluidic valve," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    10. Satpute, Jitendra & Srinidhi, Campli & Rathore, Sanjay Singh & Yadav, Sunita M. & Kumar, Ashish & Gajbhiye, Amar & Channapattana, Shylesha V. & Aithal, Kiran, 2025. "Parametric influence and efficiency assessment of water-cooled photovoltaic thermal PV/T absorber designs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    11. Zhao, Yang & Wang, Feng & Xu, Zipeng & Cheng, Chao & Gao, Dan & Zhang, Heng & Wang, Yuting, 2025. "Experimental and numerical investigation of spray cooling based photovoltaic/thermal system: Achieving high performance, low cost, and lightweight design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    12. Zhang, Yong & He, Shirong & Jiang, Xiaohui & Wang, Zhuo & Wang, Yonggang & Gu, Meng & Yang, Xi & Zhang, Shuanyang & Cao, Jing & Fang, Haoyan & Li, Qiming, 2024. "Performance and configuration optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell considering dual symmetric Tesla valve flow field," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    13. Han, Youhua & Liu, Yang & Lu, Shixiang & Basalike, Pie & Zhang, Jili, 2021. "Electrical performance and power prediction of a roll-bond photovoltaic thermal array under dewing and frosting conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    14. Zhao, Yang & Wang, Ranxu & Gao, Dan & Chen, Haiping & Zhang, Heng, 2024. "Numerical investigation and optimization of a multi-stage Tesla-valve channel based photovoltaic/thermal module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    15. Tiwari, Arvind & Sodha, M.S., 2006. "Performance evaluation of hybrid PV/thermal water/air heating system: A parametric study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(15), pages 2460-2474.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alshibil, Ahssan M.A. & Vig, Piroska & Farkas, Istvan, 2024. "Performance enhancement attempts on the photovoltaic/thermal module and the sustainability achievements: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    2. Pang, Wei & Cui, Yanan & Zhang, Qian & Wilson, Gregory.J. & Yan, Hui, 2020. "A comparative analysis on performances of flat plate photovoltaic/thermal collectors in view of operating media, structural designs, and climate conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. Jia, Yuting & Alva, Guruprasad & Fang, Guiyin, 2019. "Development and applications of photovoltaic–thermal systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 249-265.
    4. Zhao, Yang & Wang, Ranxu & Gao, Dan & Chen, Haiping & Zhang, Heng, 2024. "Numerical investigation and optimization of a multi-stage Tesla-valve channel based photovoltaic/thermal module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    5. Rong, Hui & Zhao, Dan, 2025. "Performance analyses on Telsa-valve structured meso-combustors in presence of ammonia-hydrogen/air combustion for thermophotovoltaic applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    6. Elbreki, A.M. & Alghoul, M.A. & Al-Shamani, A.N. & Ammar, A.A. & Yegani, Bita & Aboghrara, Alsanossi M. & Rusaln, M.H. & Sopian, K., 2016. "The role of climatic-design-operational parameters on combined PV/T collector performance: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 602-647.
    7. Fan, Wenke & Kokogiannakis, Georgios & Ma, Zhenjun, 2019. "Optimisation of life cycle performance of a double-pass photovoltaic thermal-solar air heater with heat pipes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 90-105.
    8. Abbas, Naseem & Awan, Muhammad Bilal & Amer, Mohammed & Ammar, Syed Muhammad & Sajjad, Uzair & Ali, Hafiz Muhammad & Zahra, Nida & Hussain, Muzamil & Badshah, Mohsin Ali & Jafry, Ali Turab, 2019. "Applications of nanofluids in photovoltaic thermal systems: A review of recent advances," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 536(C).
    9. Jianhua Zhou & Feineng Huang & Wenjun Wang & Jianbo Yang & Guanqiang Ruan, 2025. "Numerical Study and Design Optimization of Geometry Parameters of Tesla Valve Flow Fields for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-20, September.
    10. Rong, Hui & Zhao, Dan, 2024. "Thermodynamic and entropy generation analyses of Telsa-valve structured meso-scale combustors fuelled with hydrogen for thermophotovoltaic applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    11. Lu, Zaikang & Cao, Jingyu & Zheng, Ling & Zhao, Misheng & Chen, Jun & Peng, Jinqing & Hu, Mingke & Wang, Qiliang & Liu, lifang & Tian, Zhen & Li, Hongqiang, 2026. "Experimental investigation on thermal characteristics of a flexible separated heat pipe developed for tracking photovoltaic/thermal systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    12. Yang, Tingting & Athienitis, Andreas K., 2016. "A review of research and developments of building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 886-912.
    13. Adam, Saadelnour Abdueljabbar & Ju, Xing & Zhang, Zheyang & Abd El-Samie, Mostafa M. & Xu, Chao, 2019. "Theoretical investigation of different CPVT configurations based on liquid absorption spectral beam filter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    14. Md Tofael Ahmed & Masud Rana Rashel & Mahmudul Islam & A. K. M. Kamrul Islam & Mouhaydine Tlemcani, 2024. "Classification and Parametric Analysis of Solar Hybrid PVT System: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-24, January.
    15. Golzari, Soudabeh & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Amidpour, Majid & Nasirivatan, Shahin & Mousavi, Soroush, 2018. "Experimental investigation of the effects of corona wind on the performance of an air-cooled PV/T," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 284-297.
    16. Xie, Fangfang & Xin, Hongzeng & Liao, Mingjun, 2026. "Optimizing PEM fuel cell performance with Tesla valve-inspired flow fields featuring embedded island structures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    17. Kumar, Rakesh & Rosen, Marc A., 2011. "A critical review of photovoltaic–thermal solar collectors for air heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3603-3614.
    18. Ehsan F Abbas & Tahseen A Tahseen & N A Madlol & Hulya S Sulaiman & Hussein A Z Al-bonsrulah & Vijayanandh Raja & Mohammed Al-Bahrani, 2022. "High performance evaluation of a PV/T hybrid system connected with a thermal store unit holding paraffin wax [The effect of adding paraffin wax to PVT collector on its efficiency: a practical study]," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 17, pages 1158-1165.
    19. Shen, Cong & Zhou, Jiaqi & Ye, Tengling & Yang, Peixia & Sun, Lijie & Chen, Guanying, 2025. "Optimization of defect regulation parameters in CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells via machine learning-assisted response surface methodology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    20. Cui, Tengfei & Xuan, Yimin & Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Li, Dianhong, 2017. "Experimental investigation on potential of a concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric system with phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 94-102.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:341:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225051035. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.