Heat Removal Factor of an Unglazed Photovoltaic Thermal Collector with a Serpentine Tube

Abstract

Heat removal factor (F) is a vital parameter in determining the thermal efficiency of a photovoltaic R thermal (PVT) system. As a main factor of thermal performance, F represents the ratio of the actual heat transfer R to the maximum yield of heat transfer. In this study, F of an unglazed PVT with serpentine tube collector was R determined, with focus on the flat plate thickness of the flat plate serpentine tubes. Thermal modeling was used to estimate the overall heat losses of the unglazed PVT. The highest F value of 0.88 was obtained in the R 0.015 m-thick flat plate, followed by 0.84 in the 0.010 m-thick flat plate. The difference in F between the two R designs was only 4.54%, which can be considered within the acceptable range for the flat plate thickness. This consideration was made based onan economical point of view and the handling issues of PVT systems.