In this article, the experimental thermodynamic performance analysis of a semi-transparent photovoltaic-thermal hybrid collector (SPV-THC) using CuO, Al2O3, TiO2 based nanofluids and water is investigated and compared with conventional opaque photovoltaic panels. The SPV-THC consists of a polycrystalline silicon cell photovoltaic module with a serpentine tube configuration heat sink. The influence of nanoparticle concentration, mass flow rate of nanofluids, ambient factors such as solar irradiation and ambient temperature on thermodynamic performance of SPV-THC have been experimentally studied under the weather conditions in Coimbatore, India. The concentration of nanoparticles and mass flow rate of nanofluids were optimized to 0.2% (by volume) and 0.016 kg/s, respectively based on experimental trials. The experimental result shows that the electrical efficiency of SPV-THC using CuO, TiO2, Al2O3 based nanofluids and water has been improved by 11.2%, 9.1%, 7.3% and 5.9% respectively than the conventional opaque photovoltaic modules. Also, the thermal efficiencies of SPV-THC using CuO, TiO2 and Al2O3 nanofluids improved by 42.6%, 34.8% and 19.7% respectively than water.
Outdoor performance analysis of a monocrystalline photovoltaic module: Irradiance and temperature effect on exergetic efficiency
