Search Results (106)

This study presents a comparative analysis of the annual performances of stationary and dual-axis sun-tracked photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) systems. The experimental research was conducted at a demonstration site in Oświęcim, Poland, where both systems were evaluated in terms of electricity and heat production. The test installation consisted of thirty stationary PVT modules and five dual-axis sun-tracking systems, each equipped with six PV modules. An innovative cooling system was developed for the PVT modules, consisting of a surface-mounted heat sink installed on the rear side of each panel. The system includes embedded tubes through which a cooling fluid circulates, enabling efficient heat recovery. The results indicated that the stationary PVT system outperformed a conventional fixed PV installation, whose expected output was estimated using PVGIS data. Specifically, the stationary PVT system generated 26.1 kWh/m² more electricity annually, representing a 14.8% increase. The sun-tracked PVT modules yielded even higher gains, producing 42% more electricity than the stationary system, with particularly notable improvements during the autumn and winter seasons. After accounting for the electricity consumed by the tracking mechanisms, the sun-tracked PVT system still delivered a 34% higher net electricity output. Moreover, it enhanced the thermal energy output by 85%. The findings contribute to the ongoing development of high-performance PVT systems and provide valuable insights for their optimal deployment in various climatic conditions, supporting the broader integration of renewable energy technologies in building energy systems. Full article

Excessive reliance on traditional energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and gas leads to a decrease in natural resources and contributes to global warming. Consequently, the adoption of renewable energy sources in power systems is experiencing swift expansion worldwide, especially in offshore areas. Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) technology is gaining recognition as an innovative renewable energy option, presenting benefits like minimized land requirements, improved cooling effects, and possible collaborations with hydropower. This study aims to assess the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) associated with floating solar initiatives in offshore and onshore environments. Furthermore, the LCOE is assessed for initiatives that utilize floating solar PV modules within aquaculture farms, as well as for the integration of various renewable energy sources, including wind, wave, and hydropower. The LCOE for FPV technology exhibits considerable variation, ranging from 28.47 EUR/MWh to 1737 EUR/MWh, depending on the technologies utilized within the farm as well as its geographical setting. The implementation of FPV technology in aquaculture farms revealed a notable increase in the LCOE, ranging from 138.74 EUR/MWh to 2306 EUR/MWh. Implementation involving additional renewable energy sources results in a reduction in the LCOE, ranging from 3.6 EUR/MWh to 315.33 EUR/MWh. The integration of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems into green hydrogen production represents an emerging direction that is relatively little explored but has high potential in reducing costs. The conversion of this energy into hydrogen involves high final costs, with the LCOH ranging from 1.06 EUR/kg to over 26.79 EUR/kg depending on the complexity of the system. Full article

Global building energy consumption is significantly increasing. Utilizing renewable energy sources may be an effective approach to achieving low-carbon and energy-efficient buildings. A combined system incorporating solar photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) components with an air-source heat pump (ASHP) was studied for simultaneous heating and power generation in a real residential building. The back panel of the PV/T component featured a novel polygonal Freon circulation channel design. A prototype of the combined heating and power supply system was constructed and tested in Fuzhou City, China. The results indicate that the average coefficient of performance (COP) of the system is 4.66 when the ASHP operates independently. When the PV/T component is integrated with the ASHP, the average COP increases to 5.37. On sunny days, the daily average thermal output of 32 PV/T components reaches 24 kW, while the daily average electricity generation is 64 kW·h. On cloudy days, the average daily power generation is 15.6 kW·h; however, the residual power stored in the battery from the previous day could be utilized to ensure the energy demand in the system. Compared to conventional photovoltaic (PV) systems, the overall energy utilization efficiency improves from 5.68% to 17.76%. The hot water temperature stored in the tank can reach 46.8 °C, satisfying typical household hot water requirements. In comparison to standard PV modules, the system achieves an average cooling efficiency of 45.02%. The variation rate of the system’s thermal loss coefficient is relatively low at 5.07%. The optimal water tank capacity for the system is determined to be 450 L. This system demonstrates significant potential for providing efficient combined heat and power supply for buildings, offering considerable economic and environmental benefits, thereby serving as a reference for the future development of low-carbon and energy-saving building technologies. Full article

Ningxia has emerged as a strategic hub for China’s photovoltaic (PV) industry by leveraging abundant solar energy resources and geoclimatic advantages. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal expansion trends and microclimatic impacts of PV installations (2015–2024) using Gaofen-1 (GF-1) and Landsat8 satellite imagery with deep learning algorithms and multidimensional environmental metrics. Among semantic segmentation models, DeepLabV3+ had the best performance in PV extraction, and the Mean Intersection over Union, precision, and F1-score were 91.97%, 89.02%, 89.2%, and 89.11%, respectively, with accuracies close to 100% after manual correction. Subsequent land surface temperature inversion and spatial buffer analysis quantified the thermal environmental effects of PV installation. Localized cooling patterns may be influenced by albedo and vegetation dynamics, though further validation is needed. The total PV site area in Ningxia expanded from 59.62 km² to 410.06 km² between 2015 and 2024. Yinchuan and Wuzhong cities were primary growth hubs; Yinchuan alone added 99.98 km² (2022–2023) through localized policy incentives. PV installations induced significant daytime cooling effects within 0–100 m buffers, reducing ambient temperatures by 0.19–1.35 °C on average. The most pronounced cooling occurred in western desert regions during winter (maximum temperature differential = 1.97 °C). Agricultural zones in central Ningxia exhibited weaker thermal modulation due to coupled vegetation–PV interactions. Policy-driven land use optimization was the dominant catalyst for PV proliferation. This study validates “remote sensing + deep learning” framework efficacy in renewable energy monitoring and provides empirical insights into eco-environmental impacts under “PV + ecological restoration” paradigms, offering critical data support for energy–ecology synergy planning in arid regions. Full article

We explored the impact of high operating temperatures for monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules which dominate the market. Using nine years of hourly climate data with the System Advisor Model (SAM), we examined temperature impacts and cooling potential benefits across three climate zones in the United States. Assuming that cooling approaches can achieve a constant temperature decrease of ΔT independent of irradiance and environmental conditions, our simulations show that a ΔT = 10 °C temperature reduction could improve energy yield by almost 3% annually. Cooling technologies have the strongest impact during the hottest months, with even a 5 °C reduction raising efficiency by nearly 10%. When the minimum temperature of the cooled module is constrained to the ambient temperature, ΔT = 20 °C boosts the hottest month energy yield by over 25%. For economically viable cooling systems, the cooling cost should be much less than the break-even cost. We estimate break-even costs of USD 25–40/m² for 10 °C and USD 40–60/m² for 20 °C cooling for the locations simulated. For ΔT > 20 °C, the added energy yield shows diminishing returns with minimum increase in break-even costs. Full article

The purpose of the study is to investigate the energy performance of a PVT collector in combination with a heat pump. First, a test system combining a heat pump and PVT module is built, and then its performance is carefully measured, assessing the electricity and heat production. The paper focuses on increasing the efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) panel (as part of the PVT module) by cooling it with a heat pump. The main idea is to use the heat generated by the warming panels as a low-temperature source for the heat pump. The research aims to maximize the use of solar energy in the form of both electricity and heat. In traditional PV systems, the panel temperature rise reduces the solar-to-electric conversion efficiency. Therefore, cooling with a heat pump is increasingly used to keep panels at optimal temperatures and improve performance. The tests confirm that cooling the panels with a heat pump results in an 11.4% improvement in electrical efficiency, an increase from 10.8% to 12.0%, with an average system efficiency of 11.81% and a temperature coefficient of –0.37%/°C. The heat pump achieves a COP of 3.45, while thermal energy from the PVT panel accounts for up to 60% of the heat input when the air exchanger is off. The surface temperature of the PVT panels varies from 11 °C to 70 °C, and cooling enables an increase in electricity yield of up to 20% during sunny periods. This solution is especially promising for facilities with year-round thermal demand (e.g., swimming pools, laundromats). Full article

Enhancing solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is fundamental to achieving energy sustainability goals. However, elevated module temperatures can diminish photoelectric conversion efficiency and output power, impacting the safe and efficient operation of PV modules. Therefore, understanding module temperature distribution is crucial for predicting power generation performance and optimizing cleaning schedules in PV power plants. To investigate the combined effects of multiple factors on the temperature distribution and output power of dusty PV modules, a heat transfer model was developed. Validation against experimental data and comparisons with the NOCT model demonstrated the validity and advantages of the proposed model in accurately predicting PV module behavior. This validated model was then employed to simulate and analyze the influence of various parameters on the temperature of dusty modules and to evaluate the module output power, providing insights into sustainable PV energy generation. Results indicate that the attenuation of PV glass transmittance due to dust accumulation constitutes the primary determinant of the lower temperature observed in dusty modules compared to clean modules. This highlights a significant factor impacting long-term performance and resource utilization efficiency. Dusty module temperature exhibits a positive correlation with irradiance and ambient temperature, while displaying a negative correlation with wind speed and dust accumulation. Notably, alignment of wind direction and module orientation enhances module heat dissipation, representing a passive cooling strategy that promotes efficient and sustainable operation. At an ambient temperature of 25 °C and a wind speed of 3 m/s, the dusty module exhibits a temperature reduction of approximately 11.0% compared to the clean module. Furthermore, increasing the irradiance from 200 W/m² to 800 W/m² results in an increase in output power attenuation from 51.4 W to 192.6 W (approximately 30.4% attenuation rate) for a PV module with a dust accumulation of 25 g/m². This underscores the imperative for effective dust mitigation strategies to ensure long-term viability, economic sustainability, and optimized energy yields from solar energy investments. Full article

In response to rising energy consumption in buildings, this study proposes a solar-tracking movable louver integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) module and evaluates its performance to verify its energy-saving potential. First, the louver system can be configured as either vertical or horizontal by modularizing and rotating its slats. A solar-tracking mechanism for single-axis louver control was also developed and proven effective. Second, for optimal energy-saving performance, the louver operation must respond to external environmental conditions. Its control should account for PV power generation and building energy demands for heating, cooling, and lighting to maintain comfortable indoor and outdoor environments. Third, the proposed louver system achieved a building energy reduction of 4.7–8.8% compared to conventional fixed technologies. However, in winter, the louver may obstruct solar gains, potentially diminishing its effectiveness in reducing energy consumption. While this study demonstrates the potential of the proposed louver technology for energy efficiency, it is limited by the scope of environmental and operational conditions considered in the performance evaluation. Further studies under diverse climatic scenarios are necessary to substantiate its broader applicability. Full article

This paper explores the optimal configuration strategies for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in response to the low-carbon transformation needs of semi-outdoor substations, aiming to reconcile the contradiction between photovoltaic (PV) power generation efficiency and indoor environmental control in industrial buildings. Taking a 220 kV semi-outdoor substation of the China Southern Power Grid as a case study, a building energy consumption–PV power generation coupling model was established using EnergyPlus software. The impacts of three PV wall constructions and different building orientations on a transformer room and an air-conditioned living space were analyzed. The results show the EPS-filled PV structure offers superior passive thermal performance and cooling energy savings, making it more suitable for substation applications with high thermal loads. Building orientation plays a decisive role in the net energy performance, with an east–west alignment significantly enhancing the PV module’s output and energy efficiency due to better solar exposure. Based on current component costs, electricity prices, and subsidies, the BIPV system demonstrates a moderate annual return, though the relatively long payback period presents a challenge for widespread adoption. East–west orientations offer better returns due to their higher solar exposure. It is recommended to adopt east–west layouts in EPS-filled PV construction to optimize both energy performance and economic performance, while further shortening the payback period through technical and policy support. This study provides an optimized design path for industrial BIPV module integration and aids power infrastructure’s low-carbon shift. Full article

With the intensification of global climate change, buildings in hot climate zones face increasing challenges related to high energy consumption and thermal comfort. Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) façades, which combine power generation and energy saving potential, require further optimization in their climate-adaptive design. Most existing studies primarily focus on the photoelectric conversion efficiency of PV modules, yet there is a lack of systematic analysis of the coupled effects of temperature, humidity, and solar radiation intensity on PV performance. Moreover, the current literature rarely addresses the regional material degradation patterns, integrated cooling solutions, or intelligent control systems suitable for hot and humid climates. There is also a lack of practical, climate specific design guidelines that connect theoretical technologies with real world applications. This paper systematically reviews BIPV façade design strategies following a climate zoning framework, summarizing research progress from 2019 to 2025 in the areas of material innovation, thermal management, light regulation strategies, and parametric design. A climate responsive strategy is proposed to address the distinct challenges of humid hot and dry hot climates. Finally, this study discusses the barriers and challenges of BIPV system applications in hot climates and highlights future research directions. Unlike previous reviews, this paper offers a multi-dimensional synthesis that integrates climatic classification, material suitability, passive and active cooling strategies, and intelligent optimization technologies. It further provides regionally differentiated recommendations for façade design and outlines a unified framework to guide future research and practical deployment of BIPV systems in hot climates. Full article

Photovoltaic (PV) module enhancers—such as coolers or reflectors—are developed to improve the electrical output and thermal management of PV systems. A previous method evaluated enhancer effectiveness based solely on the lifespan of both the PV module and the enhancer. However, this approach did not account for the net power contribution of the enhancer, limiting its applicability in performance comparisons. To address this gap, a new metric is introduced, the lifespan and power effectiveness factor (${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{E}}$), which incorporates both power and durability dimensions. The proposed method requires five parameters: the lifespan of the PV module (${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{S}}$) and the enhancer (${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V}\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{S}}$), the net power from the enhancer (${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V}\mathrm{C}}$), the baseline PV power without enhancement (${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V}}$), and the maximum PV power under standard test conditions (${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V},\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$). Experimental data from prior studies were used to validate the method. The results show that the ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{E}}$ values for different enhancers ranged from 0.22 (22%) to 0.37 (37%). Maximum or minimum performance occurs when the ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{E}}$ value is either unity or equivalent to the ratio of the PV’s power output (PV without an enhancer) to its maximum power under standard test conditions (${\displaystyle \frac{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V}}}{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{V},\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}}}$), respectively. The proposed method not only offers improved clarity in evaluating PV enhancer technologies but also provides a robust framework for selecting durable and power-efficient PV cooling solutions. Full article

Hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) systems combine heat and light energy harvesting in a single module by utilizing the entire solar spectrum. This work analyzed the feasibility and performance of a hybrid photovoltaic–thermoelectric generator system with efficient thermal management by integrating heat pipe (HP), radiative cooling (RC), and heat sink (HS) systems. The proposed system effectively reduces the PV operation temperature by evacuating the residual heat used in the TEG system to generate an additional amount of electricity. The remaining heat is evacuated from the TEG’s cold side to the atmosphere using RC and HS systems. This study also analyzed the inclusion of two TEG arrays on both sides of the HP condenser section. This numerical analysis was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 software and was validated by previous analysis. The performance was evaluated through an energy and exergy analysis of the TEG and PV systems. Enhancing the thermal management of the hybrid PV-TEG system can increase energy production by 2.4% compared to a PV system operating under the same ambient and solar radiation conditions. Furthermore, if the proposed system includes a second array of TEG modules, the energy production increases by 5.8% compared to the PV system. The exergy analysis shows that the enhancement in the thermal management of the PV operating temperature decreases the thermal exergy efficiency of the proposed system but increases the electricity exergy efficiency. Including TEG modules on both sides of the condenser section of the HP shows the system’s best thermal and electrical performance. These results may be helpful for the optimal design of realistic solar-driven hybrid systems for globally deserted locations. Full article

This paper proposes a steady-state thermal model for the passive cooling of photovoltaic (PV) modules integrated into a vertical building façade by means of a solar chimney, including an empirical correlation for turbulent free convection from a vertical isothermal plate. The proposed analytical model estimates the air velocities at the inlet and at the outlet of the ventilation channel of such a cooling system and the average temperature of the façade-integrated PV modules. A configuration composed of a maximum of six vertically installed PV modules and one solar chimney is considered. The air velocities at the inlet and at the outlet of the ventilation channel obtained for the case of installing PV modules on the building façade are compared with those calculated for the case where the PV modules are integrated into the roof with a slope of 37°. By comparing each of the solutions with one PV module to the corresponding one with six PV modules, it was found that the increase in the air velocity due to the effects of the solar irradiance and the height difference between the two openings of the ventilation channel ranges between 41.05% in the case of “Roof” and 141.14% in the case of “Façade”. In addition, it was obtained that an increase in the solar chimney height of 1 m leads to a decrease in the average PV section temperature by 1.95–7.21% and 0.65–2.92% in the cases of “Roof” and “Façade”, respectively. Finally, the obtained results confirmed that the use of solar chimneys for passive cooling of façade-integrated PV modules is technically justified. Full article

The aim of this research is to investigate the performance of indoor amorphous photovoltaic systems with PVC water cooling and compare them with those using heatsink cooling. The amorphous approach used in this study involves water flowing through a PVC pipe and a heatsink cooler. The circular heatsink that was used has fins all around it. The water flow through the pipe is pumped from the reservoir to the PVC pipe. The study found that a PVC water flow-based active cooling system is the most effective at preserving thermal stability and improving the performance of amorphous PV modules under high light intensity circumstances, providing insights for future advancements. Full article

Photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) applications have been widely studied in recent years, though commercialisation has become critical due to their operational characteristics and size. In this study, a portable PVT system was developed for mobilisation with assistance from an organic phase-change material (PCM). Two different PCM composites were developed using the PCM with charcoal (PCM + C) and charcoal and metal flakes (PCM + C + M). Considering the portability of the PVT system, conventional metal-container-based PCM storage units were avoided, and the shape-stabilised PCMs (SS-PCMs) were fitted directly on the back surface of the PV module. Further, a serpentine copper tube was placed on the SS-PCMs to extract heat energy for hot water applications. It was found that PV_PCM+C+M exhibited a higher cooling rate, with peak reductions of 24.82 °C and 4.19 °C compared to the PV_noPCM and PV_PCM+C, respectively. However, PV_PCM+C exhibited a higher outlet water temperature difference of 11.62 °C. Secondly, an increase of more than 0.2 litres per minute showed a declining trend in cooling in the PV module. Considering the primary concern of electrical power generation, it was concluded that PV_PCM+C+M is suitable for PVT mobilisation applications, owing to it having shown the highest thermal cooling per 190 g of PCM and a 1-Watt (TCPW) cooling effect of 2.482 °C. In comparison, PV_PCM+C achieved a TCPW cooling effect of 1.399 °C. Full article