Author(s)

Kandil M. Kandil^1*, Talal H. Alzanki², Ibrahim M. Kadad¹

¹Applied Sciences Department, College of Technological Studies, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Shuwaikh, Kuwait.
²Electronic Engineering Department, College of Technological Studies, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Shuwaikh, Kuwait.

This work investigates the performance of combined hybrid high concentrated photovoltaic/thermal collector (HCPV/T) in Kuwait harsh climate. The proposed system consists of triple junction solar cells (InGaP/InGaAs/Ge) attached to heat source to discharge thermal energy to cooling media. Published HCPV/T models do not consider the effect of shunt resistance which greatly affects the system performance. So, a single diode model employing five parameters including the effect of shunt resistance is adapted to analyze the proposed system. To analyze the thermal performance of the proposed system, a two-dimensional thermal model based on the technique of finite difference is introduced to determine the efficiency of the hybrid HCPV/T system. The present developed subroutines are integrated with other involved codes in TRNSYS software to calculate HCPV/T system efficiency. Electrical and thermal as well as the whole system efficiency at different weather circumstances are evaluated and assessed. The effect of different weather conditions, cell temperature, concentration ratio and the temperatures of the coolant fluid on system performance are studied. Current results indicate that the model of single diode is a reliable one rather than using the two-diode complex model. Compared to measurements provided by high concentrated PV manufacturer, the current results revealed a total root mean square error of approximately 1.94%. Present predictions show that PV cell temperature has logarithmic increase with the rise in concentration ratio but with low values till concentration ratio of 400 suns after that the rise is faster at higher concentration values up to 1500 suns. Results also revealed that hybrid HCPV/T system works effectively specially in severe hot climate where thermal efficiency increases with high surrounding temperature for higher values of concentration ratio. In addition, an increase of approximately 15% in thermal efficiency and 10% in total efficiency can be achieved by utilizing active cooling device in HCPV/T system.

Multijunction PV Cells, High Concentrated Solar Cells, Thermal Collector, Electrical Efficiency, Thermal Efficiency

Kandil, K.M., Alzanki, T.H. and Kadad, I.M. (2019) Assessment of High Concentrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector in Hot Climate. Smart Grid and Renewable Energy, 10, 119-140. doi: 10.4236/sgre.2019.105008.