Dynamic characteristics modeling of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar collector with active cooling in buildings

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), a new concept in solar power generation field, refers to integrating the photovoltaic array into the retaining structure surface of buildings to provide electric power. Photovoltaic (PV) is the key technology in the applications of BIPV, and how to improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency has obtained more and more attention. In this paper, a brief review on the photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar collector and system using various working fluid was presented. Via dynamic simulation, the performance of a hybrid PVT collector using refrigerant as working fluid was evaluated and analyzed for the typical weather condition in Nanjing, China. The simulation results show the influence of the meteorological parameters and the evaporating temperature on the photovoltaic and thermal performance of the hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collector.