Energy saving in buildings by using the exhaust and ventilation air for cooling of photovoltaic panels

A building integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BIPVT) setup has been developed for using the cooling potential of ventilation and exhaust airs in buildings for cooling the photovoltaic (PV) panels and also heating the ventilation air by heat rejection of PV panels. The setup has been tested numerically for the Kerman city located in Kerman province in the south of Iran. Results showed that, the exhaust and ventilation airs in heating ventilating air conditioning systems can be used as the cooling fluid of the PV panels and increase their efficiency. On the other hand, the heat rejection of the PV panels could provide some part of the ventilation air heating load.

► We test cooling of a building integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BIPVT) setup numerically.
► We test cooling potential of ventilation and exhaust airs in buildings for cooling the BIPVT.
► We investigate heating the ventilation air by heat rejection of PV panels in winter.
► Exhaust and ventilation airs in buildings can be used as the cooling fluid of the PV panels and increase their efficiency.
► Heat rejection of the PV panels could provide some part of the ventilation air heating load.