Research on Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) System

Dear Colleagues,

Present-day buildings have become the third largest consumer of energy after industry and agriculture and energy consumption in buildings, contributing up to 40% of the total energy use in developed countries. Energy consumption is rapidly increasing along with the growth of population, urbanization, and demands of building services and comfort levels. Thus, reducing building energy consumption plays a very important role in controlling global energy demand and mitigating climate change.

A useful measure to reduce building energy use is the hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. PV/T panels combine two well-established renewable energy technologies, solar photovoltaics modules and solar thermal collectors, into one integrated component that removes generated heat from solar photovoltaics, thereby improving electrical efficiencies. The electrical performance of more recently installed PV/T systems does show an overall increase in the annual electrical energy output of 4%–12% in comparison with solar PV systems in the same situation. Using PV/T the generation potential per square meter can be substantially increased. This is particularly advantageous when space for installation can be limited, such as on domestic roofs. In some systems, it is possible to obtain the same energy output as a side-by-side installation of solar PV and solar thermal in 40% less area. PV/T systems can also integrate with energy-use equipment, such as heat pumps and absorption chillers, to provide heating or cooling for buildings. Moreover, solar thermal and power technologies can also integrate with distributed energy storage systems and building demand response technologies to improve the flexibility and reliability of both utility grid and buildings.

However, there are outstanding challenges for PV/T systems, including making PV/T technologies cost-effective, reducing the environmental of their production, installation, and disposal processes, efficient integration with existing energy devices and infrastructures in buildings, technical and economic optimisation of design and management, smart controls, and market and policy aspects. Thus, to further spread the technologies and methods related to PV/T systems, this Special Issue is proposed to cover both original research and review studies related to hybrid photovoltaic/thermal systems. This includes modelling and experimental findings on technical and economic optimisation of PV/T system processes in buildings.

Dr. Yasser Mahmoudi Larimi
Dr. Senthilarasu Sundaram
Prof. Manosh C. Paul
Guest Editors

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