Performance optimization of a photovoltaic solar cell-based hybrid system

A new model of the hybrid system consisting of a photovoltaic (PV) array and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles (TRECs) is proposed to improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy, where the temperature of the PV array is determined by the energy balance equation. Analytical expressions for the power output, efficiency of the PV array, TRECs, and hybrid system are derived. The influences of the voltage output of the PV array, the electric current of TRECs, the solar irradiation, and the numbers of TRECs on the efficiency of the hybrid system are discussed in detail. The maximum efficiency of the hybrid system is numerically calculated and the corresponding parameters are determined. The results obtained here show that TRECs can efficiently utilize the waste heat from the PV array. Published by AIP Publishing.