Performance analysis of a heat pipe PV/T system with different circulation tank capacities

The tank volume and tilt angle of a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) are key parameters for a heat pipe PV/T system, and the two parameters are optimized in this paper. Hot water and electric power generation are also calculated. A simulation model of the heat pipe PV/T system was established using the TRNSYS, and the numerical results were validated by experimental data. The results show that hot water and electric power generation initially decrease and then increase with the volume of the circulating tank. The highest integrated efficiency reaches 67.5% while the volume of the circulating tank is 80 L The orientation and tilt angle of the heat pipe PV/T collector were optimized based on the simulation model. The mean annual efficiency of the PV/T system is about 4.37%, and the heat collection is about 2328.16 MJ/year. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.