Combined photovoltaic and thermal hybrid collector

Abstract

Hybrid collector which produces both electric and thermal energy is very effective system for heightening efficiency of solar energy collector. In order to obtain the fundamental characteristics of these systems, two liquid type flat plate thermal collectors with selective surface have been modified by attaching 3″ diameter silicon solar cells. The measured cell array efficiencies were 8.84% and 9.20% at 28°C, AM 1.15. The maximum thermal efficiencies of these hybrid systems were 72% and 77% using water as coolant. © 1980 IOP Publishing Ltd.