A numerical investigation on improving the thermal efficiency of PV panels through integration with solar water collectors

Abstract

This research introduces a unique approach to enhancing the thermal efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels by integrating them with solar water collectors. The study employs commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to assess performance and compares two distinct photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) configurations. Configuration 1, a standard PV unit measuring 0.54 m in width and 1.20 m in length, is a reference. Configuration 2 introduces a modified PV system that maintains the exact PV panel dimensions but incorporates a solar water collector of the same size. The solar water collector is designed to facilitate efficient heat transfer, with water circulating through the system at a controlled mass flow rate of 0.01 kg/s, driven by a pump. The analysis reveals that Configuration 2 achieves a significant 56.48 % increase in thermal efficiency compared to the reference Configuration 1. This substantial improvement is attributed to the enhanced heat dissipation provided by the absorber plate and the integrated solar water collector, which effectively reduces the operating temperature of the PV panels. Additionally, the study finds a modest but meaningful increase of 2.13 % in electrical efficiency in Configuration 2, further validating the benefits of the integrated system. Moreover, the average temperature of the PV panels is reduced by approximately 1.08 %, indicating improved operational conditions that contribute to the overall efficiency gains. This work introduces a novel hybrid PV/T system integrating a full-sized PV panel with a solar water collector, achieving a thermal efficiency improvement and an electrical efficiency increase. The system demonstrates enhanced heat dissipation, reduced PV panel temperature, and practical potential for scalable renewable energy applications. The results offer insightful information for creating PV/T systems that are more efficient, pointing to a viable path for further study and real-world implementations in the renewable energy industry.