Comparative energy, exergy, environmental, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic analysis of building integrated photovoltaic/thermal, earth-air heat exchanger, and hybrid systems

A comparative study is performed to assess a hybrid building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) system and earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE) in comparison with individual BIPV/T and EAHE systems. Different systems are examined based on energy, exergy, environmental, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic analysis. The hybrid system is able to increase/decrease the outdoor air temperature in winter/summer and produce electricity. A parametric study is also performed to inspect the impact of geometrical and operational metrics on the exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic parameters of the hybrid system. The outcomes revealed that the hybrid device produces higher annual total thermal and electrical energies by almost 10.1% and 935.6% compared with the BIPV/T and EAHE systems, respectively. In addition, it was found that the hybrid system produces 3.2% less annual total thermal and electrical exergy compared with the BIPV/T unit. While the hybrid system's enviroeconomic parameter was 3.2% less than the BIPV/T unit, its exergoeconomic parameter was 51% higher than that for the BIPV/T system. The case study analysis indicated that the exergoeconomic parameter increases by enhancing the air mass flow rate and EAHE length. Furthermore, it was found that the enviroeconomic parameter increases for a higher length and width of the BIPV/T system.

Automated summary

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate a hybrid building integrated photovoltaic/thermal system and earth-air heat exchanger in comparison to individual systems. The outcomes revealed that the hybrid system outperformed in terms of energy production and the system parameters had an impact on its economic and environmental performance.