Experimental and numerical simulation analysis of spectrally selective photovoltaic/thermal system with phase change materials

This study investigates the performance of a novel low-emissivity photovoltaic/thermal system integrated with phase change materials through numerical simulation. The system addresses two key challenges of conventional photovoltaic/thermal systems: heat loss during winter and overheating in summer. The low-emissivity Photovoltaic cell reduces radiative heat loss, while the integrated phase change material regulates the system’s temperature by absorbing excess heat during periods of peak solar radiation and releasing it during cooler intervals. Simulation results demonstrate a 12.4 % enhancement in thermal efficiency during winter, with efficiency increasing from 24.06 % to 27.40 %. In summer, the phase change material reduces PV cell temperature from 77.1 °C to 61.5 °C, improving electrical efficiency by 4.1 %, from 15.48 % to 16.12 %. Parameter analysis indicates that optimizing phase change material thickness, thermal conductivity, and latent heat capacity significantly enhances system performance. The optimal phase transition temperature of the phase change material is identified as 35–40 °C, ensuring balanced performance throughout different seasons. These results highlight the potential of the novel systems to achieve efficient, year-round energy utilization.