Influence of glass cover on the characteristics of PV/trombe wall with BI-fluid cooling

Abstract

A practical investigation was conducted to demonstrate the effect of a glass cover on the efficiency of the Photovoltaic/Trombe wall using Nano-fluid (water/Al2O3) as a coolant. Two concentrations of nan-particles (0.5% and 1%) were tested. Using the glass cover on the front of the modified Trombe wall causes an increase in the solar cell temperature, which decreases the system's electrical efficiency but increases the room temperature, leading to improved thermal system efficiency. The highest recorded thermal efficiency value was 80% when using glass cover and 0.5% Nano-fluid at 2 p.m. Moreover, the implementation of a Nano-fluid as a coolant was increased the electrical efficiency. The maximum electrical efficiency was 14% at 1 p.m. In the absence of the glass cover and by using 0.5% Nano-fluid as a coolant. In general, using low concentration Nano-particles with cooling water improves the system efficiency, and increasing the Nano-particles concentration causes a negative influence on the system performance. The maximum total efficiency was 88% at 2 p.m. for the operation conditions (with a glass cover and using 0.5% Nano-fluid at the discharge of 300 L daily).

Keywords

• Performance
• PV/Trombe wall
• Glass cover
• Nano-fluid