Improving the overall performance of a hybrid photovoltaic system by reflectors and cooling with water jet

Abstract

In the present research, the overall performance of the hybrid photovoltaic thermal PVT system used in the production of electric power and water heating has been evaluated. The PVT was coupled with reflectors to increase the energy production and cool it by water jet. The experimental tests were conducted in Iraq – Samarra located at the longitude (43 40 East) and the latitude (34 35 North). Several experiments were carried out through April 2021 in the outdoors. The highest overall instantaneous efficiency was 64%, and the highest percentage improvement in the PVT electrical performance with reflectors was 42.6% at a (0.0084 kg/s) load flow rate. The water temperature in the thermal storage tank increased by about (6°C/6 h) when the electric heater was turned on, while it decreased (6°C/6 h) without turning it on, and it consumed 18.7% of the total batteries energy, which makes it an ideal solution to compensate for the period of sun absence.

KEYWORDS:

• PV panels
• reflectors
• cooling technique
• thermal tank

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.