Energy and Environmental Performance of Solar Thermal Collectors and PV Panel System in Renovated Historical Building

The major intent of this article was to determine the amount of energy received by two active systems used to convert solar radiation and to estimate their impact on reducing the emission of pollutants. Thermal solar collectors with an area of 51.36 m2 and photovoltaic panels with an area of 50.4 m2 were subject to comparative analysis. It was assumed that either of the two systems could be installed on the roof of an old tenement house located in Poznan (Poland), which is planned for renovation. Computer simulations made with DesignBuilder software were used as a research tool. Two main conclusions can be drawn from the analysis of the year-long operation of both systems in the conditions of a typical meteorological year. Thermal solar collectors can produce 469 kWh of heat from 1 m2 of the device annually, while PV panels can generate 136 kWh of electricity per year from 1 m2 of active area. However, it turned out that the use of photovoltaic systems can contribute to a higher reduction in pollutants emitted to the atmosphere as a result of the alternative combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, the optimal angle of inclination of devices for solar radiation conversion located near Poznan was determined.

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Thermal Profile of a Low-Concentrator Photovoltaic: A COMSOL Simulation

International Journal of Photoenergy ◽

10.1155/2020/8814572 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Maryam M. Alqurashi ◽

Reem M. Altuwirqi ◽

Entesar A. Ganash

Keyword(s):

Wind Speed ◽

Temperature Gradient ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Optimum Operating ◽

Optimum Operating Temperature ◽

Thermal Profile ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Pv Panel

With the gradual reduction of fossil fuels, it is essential to find alternative renewable sources of energy. It is important to take advantage of substitutes that are less expensive and more efficient in energy production. Photovoltaic concentrators (CPVs) are effective methods through which solar energy can be maximized resulting in more conversion into electrical power. V-trough concentrators are the simplest types of low-CPV in terms of design as it is limited to the use of two plane mirrors with a flat photovoltaic (PV) plate. A consequence of concentrating more solar radiation on a PV panel is an increase in its temperature that may decrease its efficiency. In this work, the thermal profile of the PV plate in a V-trough system will be determined when this system is placed in different geographical locations in Saudi Arabia. The simulation is conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software with a ray optics package integrated with a heat transfer routine. The 21st of June was chosen to conduct the simulation as it coincides with the summer solstice. The employment of wind as a cooling method for V-troughs was investigated in this work. It was found that with the increase in wind speed, the PV panel temperature dropped significantly below its optimum operating temperature. However, due to the mirrors’ attachment to the PV panel, the temperature distribution on the surface of the panel was nonuniform. The temperature gradient on the PV surface was reduced with the increase of wind speed but not significantly. Reducing the size of the mirrors resulted in a partial coverage of solar radiation on the PV surface which helped in reducing the temperature gradient but did not eliminate it. This work can assist in testing numerous cooling models to optimize the use of V-troughs and increase its efficiency especially in locations having high ambient temperatures.

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A New Method to Determine the Annual Energy Output of Liquid-Based Solar Collectors

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12234586 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (23) ◽

pp. 4586 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zukowski ◽

Radzajewska

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Hot Water ◽

Energy Output ◽

Total Solar Radiation ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Solar Panels ◽

Outdoor Air ◽

Solar Thermal Collectors

One of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the widespread use of solar panels. A new approach to estimating the annual energy output ESC of liquid-based solar thermal collectors is presented in this paper. The main parameters of the surrounding environment that affect the energy yield from solar water heating (SWH) systems are total solar radiation ES and outdoor air temperature θO. Here, two functions are developed that allow the specification of the ESC value based on these two previously determined factors. The article presents the subsequent stages that led to the development of this method. In the first step, the computer model of a solar domestic hot water (SDHW) system was built in the EnergyPlus environment. An object of the modeling procedure was the real solar installation located at Bialystok University of Technology. The database containing the annual energy output of the solar collectors, total solar radiation, and outdoor air temperature was developed based on the results of simulations made for 24 Polish cities. Then, the multiple regression method (implemented in Statistica v.13.1) was used to correlate these variables. Two contour graphs were also developed to determine the energy yield from solar collectors.

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Effect of Absorption of Solar Radiation in Glass Cover(s) on Heat Transfer Coefficients in Flat Plate Solar Collectors with Single and Double Glazing

Proceeding of Thermal Sciences 2004. Proceedings of the ASME - ZSIS International Thermal Science Seminar II ◽

10.1615/ichmt.2004.intthermscisemin.320 ◽

2004 ◽

Author(s):

N. Akhtar ◽

S. C. Mullick

Keyword(s):

Heat Transfer ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Flat Plate ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Transfer Coefficients ◽

Heat Transfer Coefficients ◽

Glass Cover

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Optimal Design Strategy of a Solar Reflector Combining Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Electricity Output: A Case Study in Calgary, Canada

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6115

Author(s):

Moon Keun Kim ◽

Khalid Osman Abdulkadir ◽

Jiying Liu ◽

Joon-Ho Choi ◽

Huiqing Wen

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Low Cost ◽

Design Strategy ◽

Numerical Approach ◽

Optimal Shape ◽

Energy Technology ◽

Experimental Database ◽

Pv Panel

This study explores the combination of photovoltaic (PV) panels with a reflector mounted on a building to improve electricity generation. Globally, PV panels have been widely used as a renewable energy technology. In order to obtain more solar irradiance and improve electricity output, this study presents an advanced strategy of a reflector combining PV panels mounted on a building in Calgary, Canada. Based on an experimental database of solar irradiances, the simulation presents an optimal shape designed and tilt angles of the reflector and consequently improves solar radiation gain and electricity outputs. Polished aluminum is selected as the reflector material, and the shape and angle are designed to minimize the interruption of direct solar radiation. The numerical approach demonstrates the improvement in performance using a PV panel tilted at 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75° and a reflector, tilted at 15.5° or allowed to be tilted flexibly. A reflector tilted at 15.5° can improve solar radiation gains, of the panel, by nearly 5.5–9.2% at lower tilt angles and 14.1–21.1% at higher tilt angles. Furthermore, the flexibly adjusted reflector can improve solar radiation gains on the PV panel, by nearly 12–15.6% at lower tilt angles and 20–26.5% at higher tilt angles. A reflector tilted at 15.5° improves the panel’s output electricity on average by 4–8% with the PV panel tilted at 30° and 45° respectively and 12–19 % with the PV panel tilted at 60° and 75°, annually. Moreover, a reflector that can be flexibly tilted improves electricity output on average by 9–12% with the PV panel tilted at 30° and 45° and 17–23% with the PV panel tilted at 60° and 75°. Therefore, the utilization of a reflector improves the performance of the PV panel while incurring a relatively low cost.

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Experimental Investigation of a Flat Plate Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector

ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability ◽

10.1115/es2018-7223 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Mohamad Modrek ◽

Ali Al-Alili

Keyword(s):

Mass Flow Rate ◽

Mass Flow ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Power Output ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Solar Thermal ◽

Pv Panel ◽

Solar Thermal Collectors ◽

Electrical Power Output ◽

Electrical Output

Photovoltaic thermal collectors (PVT) combines technologies of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors into a hybrid system by attaching an absorber to the back surface of a PV panel. PVT collectors have gained a lot of attention recently due to the high energy output per unit area compared to a standalone system of PV panels and solar thermal collectors. In this study, performance of a liquid cooled flat PVT collector under the climatic conditions of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates was experimentally investigated. The electrical performances of the PVT collector was compared to that of a standalone PV panel. Moreover, effect of sand accumulation on performance of PVT collectors was examined. Additionally, effect of mass flow rate on thermal and electrical output of PVT collector was studied. Electrical power output is slightly affected by changes in mass flow rate. However, thermal energy increased by 22% with increasing flow rate. Electrical power output of a PV panel was found to be 38% lower compared to electrical output of PVT collectors. Dust accumulation on PVT surface reduced electrical power output up to 7% compared with a reference PVT collector.

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Aplicaciones del Captador Solar de Placa Plana y del Captador de Tubo de Vacío en la Edificación = Applications of the Flat Plate Solar Collectors and the Vacuum Tube Solar Collectors in Building

Anales de Edificación ◽

10.20868/ade.2018.3797 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Ferrández ◽

Carlos Moron ◽

Jorge Pablo Díaz ◽

Pablo Saiz

Keyword(s):

Flat Plate ◽

Solar Collector ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Hot Water ◽

Solar Thermal ◽

Solar Collectors ◽

Thermal Systems ◽

Vacuum Tube ◽

Solar Thermal Collectors ◽

Flat Plate Solar Collector

ResumenEl actual Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE) pone de manifiesto la necesidad de cubrir parte de la demanda energética requerida para el abastecimiento de agua caliente sanitaria y climatización de piscinas cubiertas mediante sistemas de aprovechamiento de la energía solar térmica. En este artículo se presenta una comparativa entre las dos principales tipologías de captadores solares térmicos que existen en el mercado: el captador de placa plana y el captador de tubo de vacío, atendiendo a criterios de fracción solar, diseño e integración arquitectónica. Todo ello a fin de discernir en qué circunstancias es más favorable el uso de uno u otro sistema, comparando los resultados obtenidos mediante programas de simulación con la toma de medidas in situ.AbstractThe current Technical Building Code (CTE) highlights the need to cover part of the energy demand required for the supply of hot water and heating of indoor swimming pools using solar thermal systems. This article presents a comparison between the two main types of solar thermal collectors that exist in the market: the flat plate solar collector and the vacuum tube solar collector, according to criteria of solar fraction, design and architectural integration. All of this in order to discern in what circumstances the use of one or the other system is more favourable, comparing the results obtained through simulation programs with the taking of measurements in situ.

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Research on solar radiation potential as a source of renewable energy in the Motru area

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201929011008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 290 ◽

pp. 11008

Author(s):

Marin-Silviu Nan ◽

Alin Sultan ◽

Danut Grecea ◽

Cosmin Vitan

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Close Correlation ◽

Human Society ◽

Global Level ◽

Energy Strategy ◽

The Past ◽

Energy Modelling

The continuous development of the human society is in a close correlation with the increased consumption of electricity. In the past few years, the thirst for electricity at a global level, has led both to higher levels of pollution and the depletion of fossil fuels. For this reason, the issue of energy efficiency is a priority of energy strategy at national and EU level. In this context, a solution to the above problems is to increase the rate of production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Thus, the paper presents a study of solar radiation as a source of renewable energy, modelling and simulation of photovoltaic systems and validation of data numerical simulations data with the measured data in the Motru area.

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Performance estimation of photovoltaic energy production

Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences ◽

10.1007/s12076-020-00258-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 267-285

Author(s):

Laura Casula ◽

Guglielmo D’Amico ◽

Giovanni Masala ◽

Filippo Petroni

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Energy Production ◽

Performance Estimation ◽

Spot Price ◽

Solar Panels ◽

Pv System ◽

Vector Autoregressive Models ◽

Vector Autoregressive ◽

Pv Panel ◽

Payment Policies

AbstractThis article deals with the production of energy through photovoltaic (PV) panels. The efficiency and quantity of energy produced by a PV panel depend on both deterministic factors, mainly related to the technical characteristics of the panels, and stochastic factors, essentially the amount of incident solar radiation and some climatic variables that modify the efficiency of solar panels such as temperature and wind speed. The main objective of this work is to estimate the energy production of a PV system with fixed technical characteristics through the modeling of the stochastic factors listed above. Besides, we estimate the economic profitability of the plant, net of taxation or subsidiary payment policies, considered taking into account the hourly spot price curve of electricity and its correlation with solar radiation, via vector autoregressive models. Our investigation ends with a Monte Carlo simulation of the models introduced. We also propose the pricing of some quanto options that allow hedging both the price risk and the volumetric risk.

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Investigation of Electrical Conductivity, Optical Property, and Stability of 2D MXene Nanofluid Containing Ionic Liquids

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10248943 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (24) ◽

pp. 8943

Author(s):

Balaji Bakthavatchalam ◽

Khairul Habib ◽

R. Saidur ◽

Navid Aslfattahi ◽

A. Rashedi

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Ionic Liquid ◽

Ionic Liquids ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Optical Potential ◽

Radiation Absorption ◽

Substantial Impact ◽

Vis Spectroscopy ◽

Absorption Potential ◽

Solar Thermal Collectors

The addition of ionic liquids with MXene nanofluid has a substantial impact on the solar thermal collectors’ working fluid’s optical properties that effectively absorb and distribute solar radiation. Increased solar radiation absorption potential ensures that heats are transported more rapidly and effectively. This research endeavors to investigate the concept of accumulating solar energy via the usage of ionic liquid-based 2D MXene nanofluid (Ionanofluids) for solar applications. In this study, the optical potential of Diethylene Glycol/MXene nanofluid incorporated with 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium octyl sulfate ([Emim][OSO4]) ionic liquid was extensively investigated with respect to MXene concentration (0.1 to 0.4 wt%) and time (first day and seventh day) through UV-Vis Spectroscopy. A two-step approach was employed to synthesize the proposed ionanofluids with nanoparticle concentrations from 0.1 to 0.4 wt%. In wavelengths between 240 to 790 nm, the effect of ionic liquids, MXene concentration, and dispersion stability played a significant part in enhancing the absorbance capacity of the formulated MXene based Ionanofluid. Furthermore, the increase in the concentration of MXene nanoparticles resulted in more absorbance peaks facilitating high light absorption. Finally, the electrical conductivity of the ionanofluids is also analyzed as MXene renders them promising for solar cell applications. The utmost electrical conductivity of the formulated fluids of 571 μS/cm (micro siemens per centimeter) was achieved at 0.4 wt% concentration.

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