IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v238y2025ics0960148124020469.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Thermal performance optimization of a novel integrated photovoltaic thermal collector system

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao, Yuling
  • Fei, Fan
  • Zou, Junlong
  • Tian, Lei
  • Liang, Qian
  • Ma, Qingsong
  • Fukuda, Hiroatsu
  • Gao, Weijun

Abstract

The construction industry is actively seeking energy-efficient solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Building-integrated photovoltaic thermal (PV-T) systems, combining electricity generation with solar heat utilization, have emerged as a promising technology. However, conventional PV-T systems often face limitations in achieving optimal PV panel angles for maximum solar gain while maintaining architectural aesthetics, especially when integrated into building facades. This study investigates the thermal performance of a novel photovoltaic thermal collector (PV-TC) system specifically designed to address these challenges. This system, intended for installation on south-facing building facades, allows for flexible PV panel angling design to optimize solar energy capture without compromising the building's aesthetic appeal. We employ a simulation-based optimization approach using EnergyPlus, Radiance, and a genetic algorithm to determine the optimal design parameters for minimizing annual energy use intensity (EUI) in Nanjing, China's climate. Our results demonstrate that a fan rate of 288 m³/h, a winter fan setpoint of 21 °C, a summer fan setpoint of 25 °C, and a PV panel angle of 41° achieve the lowest EUI of 92.33 kWh/m2. This optimized configuration effectively balances electricity generation with solar heat utilization, minimizing reliance on conventional HVAC systems. We further analyzed individual parameter influences, demonstrating that increasing fan rate consistently improves heat transfer efficiency, while optimal PV angle and fan setpoint temperature are crucial for maximizing solar heat utilization and nighttime cooling, respectively. By comparison it was found that the installation of the PV-TC system reduces the annual EUI by 22.7 %. These findings provide valuable insights for designing and operating high-performance PV-TC systems that address both energy efficiency and architectural integration concerns in buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao, Yuling & Fei, Fan & Zou, Junlong & Tian, Lei & Liang, Qian & Ma, Qingsong & Fukuda, Hiroatsu & Gao, Weijun, 2025. "Thermal performance optimization of a novel integrated photovoltaic thermal collector system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:238:y:2025:i:c:s0960148124020469
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121978
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148124020469
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121978?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 search for a different version of it.

    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:renene:v:238:y:2025:i:c:s0960148124020469. 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.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using 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/renewable-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.