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A Numerical Study of Dual-Inlet Air-Cooled PV/T Solar Collectors with Various Airflow Channel Configurations

Author

Listed:
  • Zhangyang Kang

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Zhaoyang Lu

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Gangfu Song

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Qiongqiong Yao

    (State Grid Henan Marketing Service Center (Metrology Center), Zhengzhou 450051, China)

Abstract

The multi-inlet air-cooled photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technology not only avoids the poor heat transfer conditions of single-inlet PV/T air collectors but also reduces photovoltaic (PV) peak temperature and improves solar energy utilization. Since air-cooled PV/T collectors use no more than three inlets, the increase in thermal efficiency is significantly more effective. Therefore, a numerical analysis of an air-cooled PV/T solar collector with two side inlets was performed. The heat transfer efficiency and flow characteristics were then investigated for various air channel configurations. Increasing the area of the second inlet improves thermal and electrical efficiency. As the length ratio of the front and rear airflow channels is reduced, the average outlet temperature first decreases and then increases. The heat-exchanging quantity of the dual-inlet air-cooled PV/T collector is minimal. The thermal efficiency of the dual-inlet air-cooled PV/T collector can be elevated by increasing the angle between the solar panel and the bottom plate. However, the average temperature of the solar panels is increased and the photoelectric conversion efficiency decreased. This design will achieve a reduction in carbon emissions and an increase in the proportion of clean energy in a low- or zero-carbon green building.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhangyang Kang & Zhaoyang Lu & Gangfu Song & Qiongqiong Yao, 2022. "A Numerical Study of Dual-Inlet Air-Cooled PV/T Solar Collectors with Various Airflow Channel Configurations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:9897-:d:885043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ali, Ahmed Hamza H. & Ahmed, Mahmoud & Youssef, M.S., 2010. "Characteristics of heat transfer and fluid flow in a channel with single-row plates array oblique to flow direction for photovoltaic/thermal system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(9), pages 3524-3534.
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