Field testing and numerical analysis of pavement-integrated photovoltaic/thermal system (PIPVT)

• The heat dissipation performance and energy efficiency of PIPVT were studied. • Three groups of experimental field tests were carried out in Nottingham, UK. • PIPVT has a significant heat dissipation effect. • The η f of PIPVT is more than twice that of the conventional PV pavement. Photovoltaic (PV) pavement represents a promising technology for sustainable energy generation, yet its performance is substantially limited by operational temperature elevation and inefficient heat dissipation. This study proposes an innovative pavement-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (PIPVT) system designed to achieve synergistic management of solar energy through simultaneous electricity generation and active heat recovery. To evaluate its efficacy, we developed a comprehensive numerical model using COMSOL Multiphysics and conducted rigorous field testing during a peak summer period in the UK, comparing system performance under three configurations: standard PV panel, PIPVT without cooling, and active PIPVT with cooling. Results demonstrate that conventional encapsulation structures elevate PV cell operating temperatures by nearly 20°C, whereas the PIPVT system effectively neutralizes this temperature increase through optimized heat extraction. This thermal regulation not only enhances electrical output but also promises extended service life for PV components. Furthermore, the system achieves exceptional thermal recovery performance, yielding a primary energy saving efficiency more than twice that of standard PV pavement configurations, significantly improving the comprehensive utilization of solar energy in pavement applications.