Performance analysis of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) water collectors

•Performances analysis of PVT collector based on energy efficiencies.•New absorber designs of PVT collectors were presented.•Comparison present study with other absorber collector designs was presented.•High efficiencies were obtained for spiral flow absorber.

The electrical and thermal performances of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) water collectors were determined under 500–800 W/m2 solar radiation levels. At each solar radiation level, mass flow rates ranging from 0.011 kg/s to 0.041 kg/s were introduced. The PVT collectors were tested with respect to PV efficiency, thermal efficiency, and a combination of both (PVT efficiency). The results show that the spiral flow absorber exhibited the highest performance at a solar radiation level of 800 W/m2 and mass flow rate of 0.041 kg/s. This absorber produced a PVT efficiency of 68.4%, a PV efficiency of 13.8%, and a thermal efficiency of 54.6%. It also produced a primary-energy saving efficiency ranging from 79% to 91% at a mass flow rate of 0.011–0.041 kg/s.