Exergy analysis of N-photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (N-PVT-CPC) collector for constant collection temperature for vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR) system

In the present paper, the operating parameters of N-fully covered semitransparent photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) collector for constant collection temperature mode have been analyzed on the basis of an overall exergy analysis. The proposed system for a given design and climatic parameters will be applicable to the vapor absorption refrigeration system. The analyses are based on basic energy balance of each components, namely, solar cell, absorber plate, concentrator, flowing fluid, etc. Numerical computations have been carried out for New Delhi climatic condition by using MATLAB R2015a. The performance of the proposed system has also been compared with the performance of photovoltaic thermal-flat plate collector (PVT-FPC), conventional flat plate-compound parabolic concentrator (FPC-CPC) and conventional flat plate collector (FPC). Following conclusions have been made: (i) An overall exergy of N-fully covered semitransparent PVT-CPC system decreases with the increase in constant collection temperature, (ii) An overall thermal energy of N-fully covered semitransparent PVT-CPC system increases with the decrease in packing factor (beta(c)) and. (iii) PVT-CPC and PVT-FPC with fully covered semitransparent are self-sustained collectors to be used for vapor absorption refrigeration system. The proposed system will be most appropriate for vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR) systems.