european journal of social sciences issn: 1450-2267 - EuroJournals

European Journal of Social Sciences – Volume 5, Number 3 (2007)
Comparative Study on Performance of Single Pass, Double Duct
Photovoltaic Thermal Collector with and without CPC
Ebrahim M. Ali Alfegi
Solar Energy Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
E-mail: alfegi@vlsi.eng.ukm.my
Kamaruzzaman Sopian
Solar Energy Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Mohd Yusof Hj Othman
Solar Energy Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Baharudin Bin Yatim
Solar Energy Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering
University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Abstract
This paper presents comparative results of experimental investigations of the photovoltaic,
thermal, and combined photovoltaic thermal performance of two solar air collectors. The
first collector uses Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) and fins; and the second
collector uses only fins without (CPC). Two complete collectors test facilities, operating in
the same conditions, equipped with a data acquisition system, have been assembled and
tested for comparing their efficiencies. Tests are performed under various parameters such
as minimum and maximum solar intensities, ranging from 400 to 700 W/m 2 , inlet
temperature ranging between 30 to 35 Cº, and mass flow rate ranging from 0.0316 kg/s to
0.09 kg/s. The comparative results show an average combined performance of 63.65 % for
the two collectors when the air mass flow rate reaches 0.09 kg/s. The combined efficiency
of the collector with CPC is 65.206 % at mass flow rate 0.09 kg/s, solar intensity of 700
W/m 2 , and inlet temperature of 30 Cº, while its 62.093 % for the collector with out CPC.
The results show that the collector coupled with CPC is performs better for both thermal
and electrical output of the hybrid PV/T.
Keywords: Hybrid PV/T collector, both sides single-pass, CPC, Fin, combined efficiency.
Introduction
Solar energy is one of the most important source of renewable energy that world needs. The major
applications of solar energy can be classified into two categories, Thermal system (T) and Photovoltaic
system (PV) cell. Normally, these systems are used separately. In conventional solar thermal system,
external electrical energy is required to circulate the working fluid through the system. In conventional
photovoltaic system, high incident solar radiation on (PV) panel should give high electrical output.
119