https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/14401/3/FullText.pdf

Heat pipe based systems - Advances and applications

In the last four decades, greater attention has been paid to PV/T systems due to their advantages compared with PV or solar thermal systems alone. This paper aims to study various aspects of PV/T systems through the existing literature in order to highlight key points as future work in this field as well as illustrate different techniques used for such systems. In addition, PV/T systems are reviewed in terms of thermal and electrical side views. Furthermore, the analysis of solar thermal systems, various system applications such as air, water, air/water, phase change material PCM and Nanofluid systems are summarized. In light of most attempts to improve the PV/T system, more focus has been paid to the thermal rather than the electrical side. Furthermore, comparisons between PV/T systems in terms of performance parameters and efficiencies are presented. A critical review of many findings of previously conducted research is also discussed. It is found that the PV/T air heater system is promising for future preheating air applications. Moreover, it is suggested that the use of nanoparticles and water as base fluid improves the overall system efficiency. Furthermore, the PV side views require more attention in technical and cost terms. However, more research is essential to reduce the cost and, improve the effectiveness and technical design of such systems.

Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) systems: Status and future prospects

Evaluation of the nanofluid and nano-PCM based photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system: An experimental study

Cooling the operating surface is a key operational factor to take into consideration to achieve higher efficiency when operating solar photovoltaic systems. Proper cooling can improve the electrical efficiency, and decrease the rate of cell degradation with time, resulting in maximisation of the life span of photovoltaic modules. The excessive heat removed by the cooling system can be used in domestic, commercial or industrial applications. This paper presents a review of various methods that can be used to minimize the negative impacts of the increased temperature while making an attempt to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels operating beyond the recommended temperature of the Standard Test Conditions (STC). Different cooling technologies are reviewed, namely Floating tracking concentrating cooling system (FTCC); Hybrid solar Photovoltaic/Thermal system cooled by water spraying; Hybrid solar Photovoltaic/ Thermoelectric PV/TE system cooled by heat sink; Hybrid solar Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) cooled by forced water circulation; Improving the performance of solar panels through the use of phase-change materials; Solar panel with water immersion cooling technique; Solar PV panel cooled by transparent coating (photonic crystal cooling); Hybrid solar Photovoltaic/Thermal system cooled by forced air circulation, and Solar panel with Thermoelectric cooling. Several research papers are reviewed and classified based on their focus, contribution and the type of technology used to achieve the cooling of photovoltaic panels. The discussion of the results has been done based on the advantages, disadvantages, area of application as well as techno-economic character of each technology reviewed. The purpose of this review is to provide an understanding for each of the above-mentioned technologies to reduce the surface temperature of the PV module. The study will focus on the surface temperature reduction array bound by each of the cooling technologies. The performance of each cooling technology will also be highlighted. In addition to this study, this review will include a discussion comparing the performance of each cooling technology. The outcomes of this study are detailed in the conclusion section. This paper has revealed that any adequate technology selected to cool photovoltaic panels should be used to keep the operating surface temperature low and stable, be simple and reliable and, if possible, enable the use of extracted thermal heat to enhance the overall conversion efficiency. The presented detailed review can be used by engineers working on theory, design and/or application of photovoltaic systems.

A review of solar photovoltaic systems cooling technologies

Renewable energy and energy storage systems

https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/11307/1/Fulltext.pdf

The performance of a novel flat heat pipe based thermal and PV/T (photovoltaic and thermal systems) solar collector that can be used as an energy-active building envelope material

https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/12516/1/FullText.pdf

J. Milko

Papers

The performance of a novel flat heat pipe based thermal and PV/T (photovoltaic and thermal systems) solar collector that can be used as an energy-active building envelope material

The performance of a heat pipe based solar PV/T roof collector and its potential contribution in district heating applications