Is the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) more efficient than the normal photovoltaic panels?

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alberto

Registered:1499230176
Posts: 12

Posted 1499678951	Reply with quote #1

Is the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) more efficient than the normal photovoltaic panels? Do you have some empirical data? Because many people are claiming that the PVT is more efficient than the PV modules, but I don't see any data. The information is theoretical: the efficiency of the solar panels decreases with heat and the pipes of the thermal layer absorb the heat coming from the PV layer, therefore, they should be more efficient. Which is true in principle but this is not enough, we need some experiments, some data. __________________ "We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children" Solar panels, wind turbines, solar vehicle...may help

stmbtwle

Registered:1388591029
Posts: 2,685

Posted 1499693079 · Edited	Reply with quote #2

There may not be enough data out there to know for sure, yet, and it probably depends on the installation. They SHOULD be more efficient; PV IS more efficient if you can keep it cool, and if you can use the warm air/water produced even better. A couple years ago I tried fan-cooling an ordinary panel and it DID improve output, but the fan used up most of the gain. I didn't pursue it. Hybrid panels that combine PV cells with thermoelectric modules should also capture more energy and thus be more efficient. However COST "efficiency" can be another story entirely. Do the math. Sometimes the K.I.S.S. principle is the best option. __________________ Solar is like the wind. It may be free, but putting it to work isn't! Willie, Tampa Bay

robertpelletier

Registered:1518149529
Posts: 16

Posted 1520406899

Reply with quote #3

PVT collectors can produce more energy per unit surface area than side-by-side PV modules and solar thermal collectors. The electrical efficiency of an unglazed PVT collector is higher than that of a glazed PVT collector and is even higher than that of regular PV panels due to the PV cooling effect.

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