ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC AND THERMAL (PVT) COLLECTOR.

A theoretical analysis of the solar photovoltaic and thermal (PVT) collector using a simulation model is presented. In this model the PVT collector is divided into a matrix of 'small' PVT collector units, each one consisting of several layers. The energy balance of each small PVT collector unit is studied by analysis of the energies entering and leaving each one of its layers. Later, the process is applied to the PVT collector itself. A PVT collector was designed and constructed and put through a series of experiments under varying load conditions, insolation levels and other climatological conditions. The theoretical and experimental results were accumulated and studied by means of a computer that was used both for data logging and computations. The experimental results verified the simulation model used and proved clearly the advantages of using a PVT collector compared with a conventional thermal collector and a PV array separately. The model defines the cases and conditions for which the use of the PVT collector is preferable. 4 refs.