Numerical optimization and performance study of a photovoltaic/thermal module based on multi-stage V-type turbulators

The utilization of solar energy is one of the important ways to ensure low-carbon energy transformation, and PV/T technology, as an efficient technology for utilizing solar energy, has received widespread attention in recent years. This paper proposes a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) module based on a multi-stage V-type turbulator, and explores the optimization design of the system through numerical simulation and experimental research. To improve thermal and electrical efficiency, the paper integrates a turbulence-enhancing V-type turbulator design and utilizes a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for detailed system analysis. Experimental results show that the optimized PV/T system achieves a 9 %–12 % increase in electrical efficiency compared to conventional PV systems under standard solar irradiance conditions, with overall system efficiency exceeding 65 %. Through optimization using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the optimal turbulator design parameters were determined to be an angle α of 60°, an inclination angle β of 61.1°and a distance D of 0 mm. This article also compared three conventional channels to verify the heat transfer performance of the multi-stage V-shaped vortex generator PV/T.