Hybrid photovoltaic thermal system with flexible arrangements of spectral splitting optical filtration and thermal management utilities
A hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system including flexible integration of spectral splitting optical filtration and thermal management utilities is described. An optical filtration (OF) channel is provided above a PV panel of the hybrid PVT system, wherein an OF fluid in the OF channel transmits a first light that is within a predefined spectral range and absorbs a second light that is outside the predefined spectral range. A cooling fluid (CF) channel is provided below the PV panel, wherein the CF channel contains a cooling fluid. A phase change material (PCM) layer is provided between the PV panel and the CF channel, wherein at least one of the OF fluid in the OF channel, the cooling fluid in the CF channel, or the PCM layer contains nanoparticles.
1. A hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system, comprising:
a photovoltaic (PV) panel;
an optical filtration (OF) channel located above the PV panel, wherein the OF channel contains an OF fluid configured to transmit a first spectrum of solar radiation that is within a predefined spectral range and absorb a remaining, second spectrum of the solar radiation that is outside the predefined spectral range;
wherein the OF fluid contains water which contains nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of platinum nanoparticles and a combination of gold nanospheres and nanorods and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocrystals,
a cooling fluid (CF) channel located below the PV panel, wherein the CF channel contains a cooling fluid,
wherein the cooling fluid is one of polypropylene glycol and polydimethyl siloxane based oil which contains nanoparticles suspended in the cooling fluid, wherein the nanoparticles in the cooling fluid are selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide and gold nanospheres; and
a phase change material (PCM) layer inserted between the PV panel and the CF channel, wherein the PCM layer contains graphene nanoplatelets in a concentration greater than or equal to 10 wt. % of the total weight of the PCM layer.
2. The hybrid PVT system of claim 1 , wherein the CF channel includes a plurality of fins and passages.
3. The hybrid PVT system of claim 1 , wherein each of the CF channel and the OF channel is configured with sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls are insulated.
4. The hybrid PVT system of claim 2 , wherein a height of the sidewalls of the OF channel and a height of the sidewalls of the CF channel are 1 cm and 2 cm, respectively.
5. The hybrid PVT system of claim 1 , further comprising an OF fluid loop, a CF loop, an OF tank for the OF fluid, a CF tank for the cooling fluid, an OF heat exchanger configured to cool the OF fluid, a first pump configured to pump the OF fluid and a second pump configured to pump the cooling fluid, and a CF heat exchanger configured to cool the cooling fluid.
6. The hybrid PVT system of claim 5 , wherein:
the OF fluid loop includes a first plurality of flexible hoses configured to connect the OF tank and the OF heat exchanger to an inlet and an outlet of the OF channel, and
the CF fluid loop includes a second plurality of flexible hoses configured to connect the CF tank and the CF heat exchanger to an inlet and an outlet of the CF channel.
7. The hybrid PVT system of claim 6 , wherein:
the OF fluid in the OF fluid loop passes through the OF tank, the OF channel, and the OF heat exchanger in sequence; and
the cooling fluid in the CF loop passes through the CF tank, the CF channel, and the CF heat exchanger in sequence.