Title: One-dimensional exergy analysis of an unglazed low-cost PhotoVoltaic/Thermal solar collector

Authors: Francesco Calise; Rafal Damian Figaj; Laura Vanoli

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, Naples, 80125, Italy ' Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale IS.C4, Naples, 80143, Italy ' Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, V. Di Biasio 43, Cassino, 03043, Italy; Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale IS.C4, Naples, 80143, Italy

Abstract: In this paper, a one-dimensional finite-volume model of a low-cost unglazed flat-plate PhotoVoltaic/Thermal (PVT) solar collector is presented. Mass, energy and exergy balances are performed for each element of the computational domain, discretised along the flow direction. Experimental and numerical data are compared. Exergy destruction rate and exergetic efficiency are evaluated for each element of the computational domain. In addition, the effect of the main design/operation parameters on the collector exergetic performance is also investigated. The comparison between experimental and numerical data in terms of PVT outlet temperature shows an absolute error and a standard deviation of -1.06°C and 0.628°C, respectively. The calculated exergetic efficiency varies between 0.134 and 0.165 during the experimental measurements. For lower flow rates, the relationship between the total exergetic residual and inlet temperature is almost linear.

Keywords: PhotoVoltaic/Thermal collector; finite volume model; one dimensional; experimental; exergy analysis; parametric analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2018.092509

International Journal of Exergy, 2018 Vol.26 No.1/2, pp.107 - 130

Received: 06 Sep 2017
Accepted: 04 Dec 2017
Published online: 23 Jun 2018 *

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