Quantitative assessment of photovoltaic thermal collectors to enhance energy efficiency in the power system by SWEI MCDM method

The integration of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) collectors into modern power systems presents a promising solution for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. PVT collectors are a system that produces electricity and heat by using sunlight as their energy source. The use of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods with different criteria are important in assessing the performance and efficiency of thermal PVT in renewable energy systems. However, efficiency for PVT systems is determined by multiple factors comprising cost, energy production, durability, and environmental impact, quantifying these parameters remains challenging to evaluate. Ten PVT alternatives are assessed and ranked based on six criteria in this study. Advanced MCDM methodologies enable stakeholders to assign weighted significance to each criterion, facilitating the systematic identification of the best alternative. Therefore, this paper introduces Sum Weighted Exponential Information (SWEI) as a new MCDM method, focusing on the most important factors for choosing the best PVT. The SWEI methodology provides a structured and quantitative assessment of PVT collectors, ensuring an objective and precise evaluation based on multiple performance criteria. By incorporating entropy-based weight adjustments and exponential information measures, this approach effectively reduces bias and improves decision accuracy, making it a valuable tool for optimizing energy efficiency in power systems. From the obtained results, the alternative A-1 is the best, with the information score of 5.6312 bits, closely followed by A-2 (5.6462 bits) and A-10 (5.6472 bits). The alternative A-4 was the worst with a higher information score of 8.7256 bits. Comparative and sensitivity analyses validate the method's effectiveness, superiority, rationality, and robustness. Overall, the SWEI method provides a structured way of analyzing and improving PVT collector's performance in renewable energy systems. The outcomes of the study show how the suggested technique is useful for improving PVT collector selection and its potential applicability to other uses, such as PVT collector design.