Modeling of a novel concentrated PV/T distillation system enhanced with a porous evaporator and an internal condenser

This paper presents a new concentrated PV/T system which utilizes thermal energy rejected by the PV cell to distill salty water. This PV/T system is enhanced with a porous evaporator and an internal condenser. This PV/T provides electric power and distilled water, and can operate as a passive system since circulation is driven by the thermosyphon effect. A simple steady-state mathematical model has been put to describe the performance of the system, and has been simulated using Microsoft Excel's “Goal-Seek” data tool to find the evaporator temperature. Performance curves have been provided showing the effect of wind speed, solar intensity, ambient temperature, condenser temperature, and PV cell type on the performance of the system. (Overall efficiency, Electric power output, and Distillation rate.)