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ABSTRACT
Photovoltaic (PV) technology that converts solar energy into electricity is projected to play a significant role in renewable development in Malaysia. However, its electrical efficiency decreases with the increase in cell temperature. Therefore, a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system uses water to boost electrical efficiency by cooling PV cells. The PV/T system, on the other hand, is the combination of solar PV and solar thermal collector (STC) to simultaneously produce electricity and heated flowing fluid. This research study fabricated monocrystalline and polycrystalline PV panels with tempered glass and epoxy lamination to compare with front flow cooling PV/T systems using similar panels. The experiment with real-time data recording on power output and surface temperature was performed at Wisma R&D, the University of Malaya, during clear sunny weather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The highest daily electrical efficiency for Monocrystalline PV/T is 16.05%, while Polycrystalline PV/T produces 15% efficiency at a flow rate of 1.3 LPM. In comparison, monocrystalline and polycrystalline PVs have an average electrical efficiency of 14.54% and 13.80%, respectively. The highest thermal efficiency for Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline PV/T was 41.26% and 47.71% at a flow rate of 0.8 LPM. Monocrystalline PV/T has the best electrical efficiency, whereas Polycrystalline PV/T is the best for thermal efficiency.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the technical and financial assistance of UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC) and the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Program Research Grant, UMPEDAC-2020 (MOHE HICOE-UMPEDAC), Ministry of Education Malaysia, Japan International Cooperation Agency for AUN/SEED-Net on Collaboration Education Program UM CEP 1901, Japan ASEAN Collaborative Education Program (JACEP) IF005-2021, and Toyota classic 2018 fund by Toyota UMW Sdn Bhd-Development of innovative technology for solar photovoltaic thermal cooling system PVU001-2019 and RU002-2021, University of Malaya.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jeyraj Selvaraj
Jeyraj Selvaraj is with the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), with focus on Solar PV/T Systems. He is highly knowledgeable in the university with expertise on power engineering, electronics, renewable energy, solar energy, and energy and sustainable development.
Naveenrajah Tharmarajah
Naveenrajah Tharmarajah is a masters degree graduate student in renewable energy course. Currently he is an environmental officer in a waste management company known as Selekta Spektra Sdn. Bhd at Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Mukhamad Faeshol Umam
Mukhamad Faeshol Umam is a doctoral candidate in University of Malaysia conducting experiment on thermal transfer using nanofluid for Solar PV/T system. He also have working experience in oil and gas industry.
Laveet Kumar
Dr. Laveet Kumar is an Assistant professor in Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. His research interests include Solar Thermal Collectors and PV/T hybrid system.
Md. Hasanuzzaman
Md. Hasanuzzaman is currently working as Associate Professor at the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), University of Malaya, Malaysia. Hasan’s research interests include Thermal Engineering, Renewable Energy, Solar Thermal, Energy and Buildings, Energy Policy, Energy and Environment, Nanotechnology, Transportation and Electric Vehicles.
Nasrudin Abd Rahim
Nasrudin Abd Rahim received the B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U. K., and the Ph.D. degree from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K., in 1995. He is a Professor with the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and he is also the Director of the U. M. Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC). He is a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, U.K., the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He is also a Chartered Engineer, U.K. His research interests include power electronics, motor drives, and renewable energy.
Abdullah Abdulmuhsen Saleh Basuhaib
Abdullah Abdulmuhsen Saleh Bauhaib is a masters of philosophy student in University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur conducting research on back cooling solar PV/T system whilst optimizing the solar PV/T performance.