Numerical and experimental evaluation of nanofluids based photovoltaic/thermal systems in Oman: Using silicone-carbide nanoparticles with water-ethylene glycol mixture

Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems used to produce electricity and heat concurrently. The production and efficiencies of these systems were specified by the materials, design, and weather data of the location. In this study, a 100-Watt Web-configuration PV/T systems designed, tested, and evaluated in Sohar, Oman. Two identical Web configuration PV/T systems designed, installed, and compared with a conventional PV system. A water-based and a Silicon Carbide SiC nanofluid used in the PV/T systems tested to evaluate the enhancement of the PV/T production in term of electrical and thermal parameters. It is found that the PV electrical power increase from 55.2 W, to 63.16 W and 72.28 W for water-based and nanofluid based PV/T, respectively. Also, the temperature cell reduced (3.92% and 15.26%), electrical efficiency increased (8.51% and 20.21%), and thermal efficiency increased (29.0% and 43.3%) for water-based and nanofluid based PV/T, respectively. Based on the evaluation of the numerical and experimental results, it is concluded that the nanofluid enhances electrical and thermal behaviours and suitable for Oman weather.