This study seeks to maximize the benefits of solar cell systems by increasing electrical energy in addition to
thermal storage for home heating via a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system. RT35 paraffin wax (PCM) and water
are used as heat storage media, with nanofluids serving as the working fluid. The impact of nanofluids (CuOwater)
on the electrical and thermal performance of the PVT/encapsulated PCM balls system was studied
experimentally. First, water PVT and PCM/PVT collectors are tested at pure water flow rates of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 l/
min. The effect of adding CuO nanoparticles to water with a different weight concentration of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3,
0.4, and 0.5 % on the performance of the nanofluid PCM/PVT system at a constant flow rate of 1.5 l/min was
then investigated. The results demonstrated the CuO nanofluid PCM/PVT collectors superior cooling effectiveness
when compared to water PVT and PVT/PCM systems, with best performance achieved at a CuO concentration
of 0.3 % by weight and a flow rate of 1.5 l/min. At best performance, the nanofluid-PVT/PCM system can
achieve an overall energy conversion efficiency of 82.1 %, as the solar cell surface temperature decreases on
average by 8.7 % and 3.6 %, while electrical efficiency improves on average by 37.7 % and 13.3 % when
compared to uncooled PV and pure water PCM/PVT collectors, respectively. |
