EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS ON THE PHOTOVOLTAICTHERMAL SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATOR USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL-TOWARDS SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION

Abstract

In this study, the performance of a photovoltaic-thermal solar collector with compound parabolic collector for clear day in winter and summer season was investigated. Phase change material storage unit, compound parabolic collector unit, photovoltaic thermal unit were integrated into one piece to reduce the area to get higher performance and better concentration ratio. The performance of water flow rate, heat removal factor, amount of energy storage of the collector in winter season and comparison of temperature variation, total generated energy, performance factor in summer season by varying different parameters were evaluated. Water flow rate increases up to 0.004 kg/s corresponding to the thermal efficiency of around 42%. Heat removal factor for thermal collector was in the range of 0.94-0.96, which indicates better energy gain of the system and effective outlet water temperature was found 55 0C in winter season. The total generated thermal energy 1500W and maximum performance factor of a collector was 0.0135 kW-1m2 in summer season. Finally total efficiency of a collector varies from 58% -68% in summer season.

Keywords

• Compound parabolic concentrator
• Energy storage
• Phase change material
• Solar energy
• Water heating