Energy management in a concentrated solar photovoltaic panel with a thermoelectric module and nanomaterial-filled storage tank

This article scrutinizes the modeling of a Concentrated Photovoltaic-Thermal (CPVT) system incorporating a paraffin container. The CPVT setup integrates cylindrical and parabolic reflectors into the panel, utilizing RT-28HC as the paraffin and water as the working fluid implementing nano-powders. Fins are added to the absorber pipe within the paraffin container to improve energy storage, while a thermoelectric (TE) module beneath the silicon layer boosts electricity generation. Two CPVT setups are examined, exploring different fin configurations and reflectors. Visual representations like plots and contours illustrate the impact of key parameters, with model verification confirming alignment with prior research. Among the configurations tested, the combination of a parabolic reflector and seven fins leads to the highest heat storage within the paraffin layer. This configuration achieves an overall efficiency of 68.37 %. The addition of a parabolic reflector with seven fins results in the highest electrical power output. Within CPVT systems, this setup demonstrates exceptional performance, emphasizing the importance of meticulous component integration for superior results.