IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v247y2025ics0960148125006780.html

Experimental study of rectangular micro heat pipe PV/T series and parallel systems

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Rui
  • Jia, Zijiao
  • Sun, Xiaohua
  • Li, Jinping
  • Novakovic, Vojislav

Abstract

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, due to the abundant solar resources and cold climate in China's northwest regions, have attracted significant attention and show great application potential. Current researches on improving the performance of PV/T systems mostly focused on modifying the structure of the PV/T panels and changing the inclination angle of the PV/T panels, with relatively little attention paid to the connection methods of the PV/T panels. Therefore, building on the team's previous rectangular micro heat pipe PV/T (R-M-HP-PV/T) foundation, both parallel and series connection methods were employed in the experiments to enhance system performance. In the experiment on January 9th, the R-M-HP-PV/T series system achieved an average thermal conversion efficiency (TCE) of 30.3 %, an average photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.1 %. In the subsequent experiment on January 10th, the R-M-HP-PV/T parallel system exhibited an average TCE of 35.0 %, an average PCE of 11.9 %. In addition, numerical simulation was accurately validated. The solar cell temperature in the numerical simulation was lower in the parallel connection setup. The total efficiency of the parallel connection reached 51.5 %, surpassing the series connection by 5.8 %. The results indicate that the parallel connection exhibits superior overall performance compared to the series configuration.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Rui & Jia, Zijiao & Sun, Xiaohua & Li, Jinping & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2025. "Experimental study of rectangular micro heat pipe PV/T series and parallel systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125006780
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123016
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125006780
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123016?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. Cui, Yuanlong & Zhu, Jie & Zoras, Stamatis & Zhang, Jizhe, 2021. "Comprehensive review of the recent advances in PV/T system with loop-pipe configuration and nanofluid," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Ji, Yasheng & Zhou, Jinzhi & Zhao, Kaiming & Zhang, Nan & Lu, Lin & Yuan, Yanping, 2023. "A novel dual condensers heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system under different climate conditions: Electrical and thermal assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    3. Li, Jinping & Niu, Mengyao & Liu, Xiaomin & Novakovic, Vojislav & Dai, Jingbo & Huang, Juanjuan & Kong, Lingxuan & Zhang, Dong & Li, Xiaoxia, 2023. "Experiment study on heat transfer enhancement of micro heat pipe PV/T by Reynolds number improvement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    4. Li, Hong & Liu, Hongyuan & Li, Min, 2022. "Review on heat pipe based solar collectors: Classifications, performance evaluation and optimization, and effectiveness improvements," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PA).
    5. Gao, Yuanzhi & Wu, Dongxu & Dai, Zhaofeng & Wang, Changling & Chen, Bo & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2023. "A comprehensive review of the current status, developments, and outlooks of heat pipe photovoltaic and photovoltaic/thermal systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 539-574.
    6. Li, Rui & Li, Jinping & Zhu, Junjie & Liu, Xiaomin & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2023. "A numerical and experimental study on a novel micro heat pipe PV/T system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    7. Modjinou, Mawufemo & Ji, Jie & Yuan, Weiqi & Zhou, Fan & Holliday, Sarah & Waqas, Adeel & Zhao, Xudong, 2019. "Performance comparison of encapsulated PCM PV/T, microchannel heat pipe PV/T and conventional PV/T systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1249-1266.
    8. Zhang, Chunxiao & Shen, Chao & Zhang, Yingbo & Sun, Cheng & Chwieduk, Dorota & Kalogirou, Soteris A., 2021. "Optimization of the electricity/heat production of a PV/T system based on spectral splitting with Ag nanofluid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 30-39.
    9. Zhang, Tao & Zheng, Wenjie & Wang, Liuya & Yan, Zhiwei & Hu, Mingke, 2021. "Experimental study and numerical validation on the effect of inclination angle to the thermal performance of solar heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    10. Li, Jinping & Wang, Hongyang & Liu, Xiaomin & Zhu, Junjie & Novakovic, Vojislav & Karkon, Ehsan Gholamian, 2024. "Study on the effects of acetone and R141b on the performance of micro heat pipe PV/T systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    11. Ren, Xiao & Yu, Min & Zhao, Xudong & Li, Jing & Zheng, Siming & Chen, Fucheng & Wang, Zhangyuan & Zhou, Jinzhi & Pei, Gang & Ji, Jie, 2020. "Assessment of the cost reduction potential of a novel loop-heat-pipe solar photovoltaic/thermal system by employing the distributed parameter model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    12. Ji, Yasheng & Yu, Min & Wang, Lin & Lu, Lin & Zhou, Jinzhi, 2024. "A novel dual condensers heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system: Numerical dynamic modelling and effect factors analysis in dual-function operation mode," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    13. Lu, Yashun & Li, Guiqiang, 2023. "Potential application of electrical performance enhancement methods in PV/T module," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    14. Zou, Lingeng & Liu, Ye & Yu, Mengqi & Yu, Jianlin, 2023. "A review of solar assisted heat pump technology for drying applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Li, Rui & Li, Jinping & Zhu, Junjie & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2025. "An in-depth study on the annual performance of acetone and R141b micro heat pipe PV/T systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    2. Zhang, Hua & Peng, Ruili & Jiang, Qingyang & Tian, Xinyi & Ji, Jie & Peng, Jiechuang & Zong, Junjie & Luo, Chenglong, 2025. "Impact of structural arrangement and electrical series-parallel connections on performance of semi-flexible crystalline silicon building-integrated photovoltaic systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).

    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. Li, Rui & Jia, Zijiao & Sun, Xiaohua & Li, Jinping & Zhai, Panpan & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2025. "Performance analysis of different flow rates and dust accumulation in micro heat pipe PV/T series system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    2. Li, Rui & Zhai, Panpan & Cao, Yadong & Li, Jinping & Zhu, Juejie & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2025. "Heat resistance analysis and performance improvement of an innovative micro heat pipe PV/T system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Li, Rui & Zhai, Panpan & Li, Jinping & Liu, Ye & Novakovic, Vojislavi, 2024. "Performance analysis of micro heat pipe PV/T within and outside the greenhouse in northwest China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    4. Ji, Yasheng & Yu, Min & Wang, Lin & Lu, Lin & Zhou, Jinzhi, 2024. "A novel dual condensers heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system: Numerical dynamic modelling and effect factors analysis in dual-function operation mode," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    5. Li, Zhaomeng & Ji, Jie & Li, Jing & Zhao, Xudong & Cui, Yu & Song, Zhiying & Wen, Xin & Yao, TingTing, 2022. "Experimental investigation and annual performance mathematical-prediction on a novel LT-PV/T system using spiral-descent concentric copper tube heat exchanger as the condenser for large-scale application," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 257-270.
    6. Ji, Yasheng & Zhou, Jinzhi & Zhao, Kaiming & Zhang, Nan & Lu, Lin & Yuan, Yanping, 2023. "A novel dual condensers heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system under different climate conditions: Electrical and thermal assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    7. Gao, Yuanzhi & Wu, Dongxu & Dai, Zhaofeng & Wang, Changling & Chen, Bo & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2023. "A comprehensive review of the current status, developments, and outlooks of heat pipe photovoltaic and photovoltaic/thermal systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 539-574.
    8. Yu, Qinghua & Chen, Xi & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Research progress on utilization of phase change materials in photovoltaic/thermal systems: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    9. Diao, Kelong & Dong, Tianheng & Yang, Moucun & Lu, Jingui & Zhu, Yuezhao, 2025. "Surface-modified WO2.9/oil nanofluid with self-forming Si-O-Si encapsulation for ultra-stable spectral splitting in solar PV/T systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    10. Khorrami, Aref & Golshani, Ali & Hassani, Faridoddin & Kouhkord, Afshin & Ansari, Reza & Sahmani, Saeid, 2026. "Evaluation and heat transfer augmentation of a PV/T unit through parametric baffle installment: Data-driven modeling and swarm implementation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    11. Li, Jinping & Wang, Hongyang & Liu, Xiaomin & Zhu, Junjie & Novakovic, Vojislav & Karkon, Ehsan Gholamian, 2024. "Study on the effects of acetone and R141b on the performance of micro heat pipe PV/T systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    12. Zhang, Tao & Zhang, Yufan & Shi, Zhengrong & Pei, Gang & Cai, Jingyong, 2022. "Preliminary investigation on the switching time of a photovoltaic solar-assisted heat-pump/heat-pipe hybrid system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    13. Li, Jinping & Niu, Mengyao & Liu, Xiaomin & Novakovic, Vojislav & Dai, Jingbo & Huang, Juanjuan & Kong, Lingxuan & Zhang, Dong & Li, Xiaoxia, 2023. "Experiment study on heat transfer enhancement of micro heat pipe PV/T by Reynolds number improvement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    14. Zhang, Tao & Feng, Shijing & Zhai, Jinming & Shi, Zhengrong & Ji, Jie, 2025. "Experimental study on the switching logic of a photovoltaic solar-assisted loop thermosiphon /heat pump hybrid system in enthalpy difference laboratory," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    15. Shahsavar, Amin & Arıcı, Müslüm, 2023. "Energy and exergy analysis and optimization of a novel heating, cooling, and electricity generation system composed of PV/T-heat pipe system and thermal wheel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 394-406.
    16. Tariq, Rasikh & Xamán, J. & Bassam, A. & Ricalde, Luis J. & Soberanis, M.A. Escalante, 2020. "Multidimensional assessment of a photovoltaic air collector integrated phase changing material considering Mexican climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    17. Wen, Xin & Ji, Jie & Song, Zhiying, 2021. "Performance comparison of two micro-channel heat pipe LFPV/T systems plus thermoelectric generators with and without aerogel glazing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    18. Ji, Yasheng & Zhou, Jinzhi & Yu, Min & Zhong, Wei & Yuan, Yanping, 2023. "A novel multi-function “Y-shape” heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system: Experimental study on the performance of hot water supply and space heating," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    19. Li, Rui & Li, Jinping & Zhu, Junjie & Liu, Xiaomin & Novakovic, Vojislav, 2023. "A numerical and experimental study on a novel micro heat pipe PV/T system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    20. Pei, Maoqing & Liu, Huawei & Ju, Xinyu & Ju, Xing & Xu, Chao, 2024. "Investigation and optimization of the performance of a spectrum splitting photovoltaic/thermal system using multiple kinds of core-shell nanofluids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).

    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:renene:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125006780. 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/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.