Numerical Analysis of Bi-fluid PV/T Hybrid Collector Using the Finite Difference Method

The PV/T is called as a hybrid bi-fluid type solar collector when both fluids (water and air) are used as working fluids. This type of collector provide a wide range of thermal applications and several modes can be executed depending on energy needs and applications: air mode, water mode and simultaneous mode (air and water). This paper presents a numerical analysis of PV/T bi-fluid collector using the finite difference method. Energy balance equations were established for each layer and solved using the Gauss–Seidel iteration method. The performance of the PV/T hybrid is evaluated according to the operating mode of the fluid (independently and simultaneously). The simulation results are compared with literature (Modeling and performances assessments of PV/T bifluid hybrid collector: Three cooling modes operation case. https://doi.org/10.1109/iceit48248.2020.9113233, [10]), and indicate that when both fluids are used simultaneously, the overall electrical and thermal performance of the hybrid collector is considered satisfactory compared to the situation where two fluids operate independently.