Optimizing design and operation of a novel photovoltaic-thermal collector system for minimizing energy use intensity across diverse Chinese climate zones

Key Points

• Energy use intensity decreases significantly with the optimized photovoltaic-thermal collector system in various climates.
• The optimization process for design and operation led to energy efficiency improvements of up to 30%.
• Assessment using computational simulations across diverse Chinese climate zones provided valuable insights into performance variation.
• Furthermore, findings suggest that tailored solutions can enhance energy use efficiency, calling for broader application in renewable energy systems.