Numerical Simulation of a cost efficient novel CPVT solar collector

Abstract

In this work, the simulation of a Concentrated PhotoVoltaic Thermal (CPVT) solar collector system has been done by means of Finite Volume Method. The system consists of a parabolic collector, which concentrates solar irradiance onto solar cells, which are refrigerated attaching them to a pipe which contains water. At the same time, this water is warmed up. Numerical results are compared with experimental data both obtained within the current eranet project for the Economic COgeneration by Efficiently COncentrated SUNlight (ECOSUN). The idea of this project is to study how to take advantage of the residual heat produced by the photovoltaic elements. Warming up water is proposed as a possibility, due to the synergy obtained because water refrigerates the whole system. First numerical results show a reasonable agreement against experimental data. The CPVT model of this project is oriented to optimize the design for solar cooling applications. Finally, new pipe geometries including fines are purposed in order to increase the thermal heat exchange between the CPVT solar collector and the water.