Photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) performance analysis for different flow regimes: A comparative numerical study

Over the past decade, photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) has been an extensively focused research area due to the availability of alternative sources of energy. Researchers have been studying PV/Ts in many areas, such as design geometry, materials of PV, working fluid, parametric analysis. However, no study is carried out on performance analysis for different flow regimes: creeping flow, laminar flow, and transitional flow. A comparison among the different flow regimes on performance of flat plate PV/T collector is considered. In this numerical work, a water based nine layered flat plate PV/T collector is considered. Based on finite elements, COMSOL Multiphysics® software is utilized for varying solar irradiation (200 W/m2 ≤ G ≤ 1000 W/m2) at 29 °C inlet and ambient temperature. Results are displayed in a table, line diagram, and 3D surface plot. Empirical results indicate that electrical efficiency decreases from 11.34% to 8.09% for creeping flow, 12.16% to 11.77% for laminar flow, and 12.24% to 12.07% for transitional flow when solar intensity rises from 200 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2. Although, compared to creeping flow, laminar to transitional flow variance is less substantial.