Experimental Comparison of Glazed and Unglazed Hybrid Solar Modules Considering Power Productivity and Cell Temperature

Abstract

This study presents the effect of cell temperature on the hybrid solar collectors PV/T for modules with and without using a front glass cover. A numerical model of thermal behaviour was carried out for glazed (PV/Tg) and unglazed (PV/Tun) modules. As a result of this experimental investigation conducted for presented PV/T modules, a sufficient decrease in the cell temperature of PV/Tun compared to the PV/Tg, PV/Tun module exceeded the PV/Tg by 19%. Thus, the electrical productivity of the PV/Tun module was higher; it was 3.44% higher than the PV/Tg value. The outlet liquid temperature of the un-covered module was 6.34% higher than the outlet liquid temperature of the glass-covered module. Besides, the total efficiency of the PV/Tg was higher during the periods of study. In this sense, the glass-covered module is preferable for applications that deal with overall efficiency as a desirable factor. The un-covered module is much beneficial for applications that need high electrical productivity.