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Experimental investigation of the performance of a hybrid photovoltaic/ thermal solar system using aluminium cooling plate with straight and helical channels

Solar Energy • 2017
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Publication Information
Authors M.R. Salem, R.K. Ali ⇑, K.M. Elshazly
Keywords Photovoltaic Hybrid solar system Thermal and electrical efficiencies
Journal Solar Energy
Publisher Elsevier Ltd
Volume 157
Issue Not Available
Pages 147-156
publication.type International
Paper Link Open Link
Supplementary Materials Not Available
Abstract
This paper presents a field study for the performance of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system that use aluminium
cooling plate with straight and helical channels during July 2016. Three systems each of 0.37 m2
commercial poly-crystalline PV panels have been installed at the faculty of engineering at Shoubra, Benha
University, Cairo, Egypt (30.1N Latitude). Two of the systems are cooled using straight and helical channels
with dimensions of 10  10 mm2 and compared with the uncooled panel. The results showed that an
increase in average electrical efficiency of 17.7% to 38.4% with relative to uncooled panels for flow rate
range of 0.25 to 1 L/min. The corresponding average thermal efficiency increases from 31.6% to 47.2%
for straight channels and 34.6% to 57.9% for helical configuration. While the corresponding average
exergy efficiency increases from 11.1% to 12.9% for straight channels and 11.5% to 13.5% for helical
arrangement. The associated water pumping power in both configurations does not exceed 3.3% of the
converted electrical power while the increase in the obtained electrical power is of 30% with relative
uncooled cell power.