A computational study has unveiled promising developments for water-based hybrid photovoltaic (PV) systems, focusing on innovative absorber designs aimed at enhancing thermal and electrical efficiencies. The research explores various thermal absorber configurations—including spiral circular, serpentine, and zigzag designs—each chosen for its unique contributions to reducing operational temperatures and improving overall system performance.
The thermal absorber plays a pivotal role within PV systems, functioning to lower the temperature of the photovoltaic panels and collect excess heat energy. This study stands out by comparing the well-established spiral circular absorber with newly proposed semi-circular and zigzag thermal absorbers, evaluating their effectiveness through advanced computational modeling techniques.
Conducted by researchers including Jitendra Satpute and Gouri Ghongade, the study utilized Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, particularly via ANSYS and CFD-FLUENT software. This approach allowed the team to assess the performance of these systems under steady-state conditions, measuring various parameters like PV surface temperature, water discharge temperature, and pressure drop affecting efficiency.
The findings are noteworthy: the zigzag thermal absorber achieved the highest water outlet temperature and the lowest photovoltaic surface temperature. This absorber configuration demonstrated up to 11.97% greater electrical efficiency alongside 76.75% thermal efficiency when juxtaposed with non-cooled PV systems. This is significant as elevated temperatures typically hinder the efficacy of traditional PV technology.
Under controlled conditions, the maximum surface temperature for the non-cooled PV system reached as high as 78.2°C. Comparatively, with various absorber configurations tested, the zigzag design maintained average PV temperatures as low as 44.2°C—4.33% lower than the serpentine semi-circular and 10.70% lower than the conventional spiral circular absorbers. This improvement was attributed to the zigzag absorber's superior surface contact, which enhanced heat transfer effectively.
Economic viability was also evaluated as part of the comprehensive analysis, indicating the zigzag thermal absorber represented a sound investment with a simple payback period of 4.63 years and projected returns of 28%. Such data not only affirm the technical advancements but also present attractive financial prospects for stakeholders interested in renewable energy technologies.
The authors noted, "The zigzag thermal absorber maintained superior surface contact with the back side of the PV system compared to other configurations," highlighting the technical benefits achieved through this design. The team encourages future studies, emphasizing the potential for extending this research across different geographical contexts and varying radiation levels to optimize the system's performance under real-world conditions.
With the growing importance of solar energy as a sustainable energy solution, this study contributes valuable insights for optimizing photovoltaic thermal systems. This work sets the stage for future enhancements, targeting efficiency gains and cost reductions to support the broader adoption of hybrid photovoltaic technologies.