photovoltaic-thermal modules

Researchers in Malaysia designed a photovoltaic-thermal system that can be used in solar drying, space heating, rooftop systems, and off-grid thermal applications. It relies on a double-pass cooling technique based on air convection and phase change material that can reportedly increase PV efficiency from 7% to 9% and thermal efficiency by 31.45%.

The German specialist for solar thermal energy and heat storage said its new PVT collectors rely on double-glass and monocrystalline TOPCon cells. The product has a power conversion efficiency of 22.5% and a maximal thermal ouput of 1,100 W.

Scientists in China have designed a photovoltaic-thermal integrated air-source heat pump hot water system that uses a phase change tank to lower energy consumption and achieve higher power generation performance than conventional heat pumps. The system is designed to use water as a working medium and to provide circulation power for forced circulation.

Scientists in China have used ground heat exchangers based on volcanic tuff stones to improve storage capabilities and efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal systems. Their experiments showed that the proposed combination effectively improves PV module cooling and thermal efficiency.

The French manufacturer said its PVT module features a PV module efficiency of up to 21.8% and a thermal output ranging from 459 W/m2.

Scientists have used stearic acid and a combination of stearic acid and carbon black to increase thermal conductivity in a photovoltaic-thermal system linked to a heliostat field concentrator. From a temperature of 30 C at the inlet, they were able to heat the water to up to 59 C.

Scientists in Morocco have conceived a photovoltaic-thermal panel that uses a channel-box heat exchanger consisting of 94 channels attached directly to the PV module. The simulated design reportedly results in an overall panel efficiency of over 90% and good results in terms of temperature inhomogeneity.

Scientists in China have demonstrated a photovoltaic-thermal system that utilizes Tesla valves to increase cooling and efficiency. The system was found to have better performance compared to PVT systems made with several different cross-sectional structures.

Sunmaxx PVT, a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar module specialist, has built an automated 50 MW module factory near Dresden, Germany.

Power Panel offers a PV and thermal storage solution that combines simple, safe and easy to manage hot water with advanced thermoplastic technology and architecture.