Influence mechanism on thermoelectric and refrigerating performance of PVT composite cycle system with collaborative compressor-refrigerant pump drive

The lack of clarity regarding the quantitative influence mechanisms poses a significant challenge to the optimized design and reliable application of the novel PVT composite cycle system with collaborative compressor-refrigerant pump drive in different regions. Therefore, a simulation platform was established to investigate the mechanism that influences the thermoelectric and refrigerating performance of the novel system. The research indicates that for every 1.0 °C increase in ambient temperature, the heating COP rises by 1.5 %, 5.0 %, and 5.0 % for the PVT heat pump, PVT composite cycle, and PVT power heat pipe cogeneration modes, respectively, while the exergy efficiency decreases by 0.5 % across all modes; with every 10 W/m2 increase in solar irradiance, the heating COP increases by 1.5 %, 3.0 %, and 2.0 % for the previously mentioned three cogeneration modes, respectively, and the exergy efficiency sees a 0.1 % increase across all modes. Moreover, with each 1.0 °C rise in ambient temperature, the refrigerating capacity and refrigerating COP decrease by 1.5 % and 2.5 %, respectively; for each 1 m/s escalation in wind speed, the refrigerating capacity and refrigerating COP are enhanced by 3.0 % and 5.0 %, respectively. The heating COP and exergy efficiency of the proposed system are, respectively, 10.0 %–575 % and 5.0 %–25.0 % superior to those of the existing PVT heat pump system. Furthermore, the additional investment relative to the existing PVT heat pump system is projected to be recouped within a span of 0.6–2.0 years. These findings provide a crucial theoretical framework and definitive performance benchmarks for the optimized design and application of this novel system across diverse climatic regions.