Modeling and performances assessments of PV/T bifluid hybrid collector: Three cooling modes operation case

The objective of the present work is the performance assessments of a bi-fluid photovoltaic/thermal solar collector (PV/T). Based on energy-balance equations, a mathematical model of PV/T hybrid collector has been developed and simulated using Matlab Software. This model takes into account the effect of the three modes of fluid operation under the same PV/T system, namely: the air mode, the water mode, and the simultaneous mode of water and air. The results show that the lowest PV module temperature is observed in the simultaneous mode (air water) compared to others modes. It's maximum value achieved is around 62°C in the bi-fluid mode against 80°C and 73°C respectively in the air mode and the water mode. The maximum efficiencies of 66.97 % (thermal efficiency) and 10.1% (electrical efficiency) are also observed, when both fluids are operated simultaneously compared to others modes. Finally, the working in simultaneous mode is beneficial to transmit more heat, produce more thermal energy and consequently improve the electrical and thermal performances of the PV/T hybrid collector. Moreover, the theoretical model developed is validated, evidencing a good fit between simulation results and the experimental data available in literature. The PV/T collector designed in this study has a variety of applications, as solar drying in agriculture, air conditioning, space heating and hot water supply for domestic applications.