Analytical Predictions of Liquid and Air Photovoltaic/Thermal, Flat-Plate Collector Performance

Two separate one-dimensional analyses have been developed for the prediction of the thermal and electrical performance of both liquid and air flat-plate, photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors. The analyses account for the temperature difference between the primary insolation absorber (the photovoltaic cells) and secondary absorber (a thermal absorber flat plate). The results of the analyses are compared with test measurements, and therefrom design recommendations are made to maximize the total energy extracted from the collectors.