Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society ISSN:1598-6411(Print) 2508-3562(Online) 한국태양에너지학회 논문집

The air-type photovoltaic / thermal (PVT) collector is a solar collector that acquires heat generated from the back of the PV module through the circulation of air behind the collector, while the PV module uses solar energy to produce electrical energy. In this process, electricity is produced through PV modules, and heat energy is produced through a heat collection process using air as the heat medium. According to the PV cell ratio, air-type PVT collectors differ in the collector’s thermal and electrical performance. The higher the PV cell ratio of the PV module, the more is the ratio of PV cells per unit area, thereby increasing the total electricity generation of the collector. However, when the PV cell ratio is lowered, the glass to back sheet (GtoB) transparent type PV module increases the area of the light-permeating part. Therefore, the air heat behind the PV module increases, thereby improving the thermal performance of the collector. In this study, outdoor testing was conducted in accordance with the test conditions of ISO9806:2017 to investigate the thermal and electrical performance of an air-type PVT collector. A comparative experiment was carried out for: (i) Case 1 (PV cell ratio of 0.9) with a perforated baffle, and (ii) Case 2 (PV cell ratio of 0.67) with a lower PV cell ratio to improve thermal performance. Based on the inlet flow rate and the PV cell ratio of air-type PVT collectors, the thermal and electrical efficiencies were analyzed and compared.