South Korea introduces standards for photovoltaic-thermal modules
The country’s National Institute of Technology and Standards said the new standards apply to modules that combine photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in a single device, noting that separate standards for each technology already exist.
Photovoltaic-thermal solar air heater based on PCM cylinders, air convection
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%.
Stadium in Austria now hosting Europe’s largest PVT system
Austria has installed Europe’s largest photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar system at a stadium, using Sunmaxx modules combined with geothermal energy and brine heat pumps to provide climate-neutral electricity and heat.
PVT-assisted air-source heat pump based on phase-change tank
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.
Dualsun presents heat pump-compatible residential PVT panel
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.
Enhancing photovoltaic-thermal module performance with Tesla valves
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.
A new twist on thermal storage
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.
Using waste heat from PV panels to generate residential hot water
Scientists in the United States has developed a new photovoltaic-thermal system design that utilizes parallel water pipes as a cooling system to reduce the operating temperature of photovoltaic panels. The waste heat generated by this process is then used to generate domestic hot water.
Retrofit solution to convert rooftop PV systems into photovoltaic-thermal arrays
Scientists in Korea have proposed a simple methodolgy to tranform existing PV systems into photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) arrays. They claim the new design offers a cheaper alternative to expensive PVT systems, while enabling easier and faster deployment.
Sunmaxx builds 50 MW PV-thermal solar module factory in Germany
Sunmaxx PVT, a photovoltaic-thermal solar module specialist, has started building an automated 50 MW module factory near Dresden, Germany.
