Design and performance analysis of a novel solar photovoltaic/ thermal system using compact linear Fresnel reflector and nanofluids beam splitting device

The current study conducts the performance estimate of a new photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system using compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) and Ag/CoSO4-PG nanofluids beam splitting device (BSD). Design method and working flow of the PV/T system are introduced. The absorption rate of the nanofluids BSD is 58.6% in the full spectral range. The optical behaviour evaluation results reveal a relatively high uniform sunlight irradiance distribution on the nanofluids BSD bottom and a single-peak shape sunlight irradiance distribution on the PV module. The optical efficiency of the PV/T system is 91.5% with a sun-tracking error of 0.2 degrees. The operation behaviour of the PV/T system is analyzed by using the Computational Fluid Dynamics method. The analysis results indicate that the photoelectric efficiency of the PV module and thermal efficiency of the PV/T system are 30.2% and 49.3%. The thermal efficiency will increase when the inlet nanofluids flow velocity augments, or when the inlet nanofluids temperature decreases.

Automated summary

The current study evaluates the performance of a novel photovoltaic thermal system using a compact linear Fresnel reflector and a nanofluids beam splitting device. The system exhibits high optical efficiency and can enhance thermal efficiency by adjusting the flow velocity and temperature of the nanofluids.