PV Thermal Systems

Capturing Untapped Energy

By Conserval Engineering Inc

Conserval Engineering Inc.

Building Integrated PV
Problems integrating PV solar into a building.
Heat buildup under PV modules 90F (50C) over
ambient
Structural damage from heat
Lower operating efficiency under high temperature.
For each C in temperature, the power production
drops by ~0.5%
Competition for collector space on wall or roof
Economics of PV grid tied systems

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The 12% Roof

A typical PV module has a conversion efficiency of 10% to

15%
Remaining energy produced is heat, which is neither
captured nor utilized

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International Energy Agency Task 35

IEA Task 35 - PV/ Thermal Solar Systems

Canada participated along with several European
countries and tested the SolarWall panel mounted
behind conventional PV modules

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Advantages of perforated panel

(transpired collector)

Uniform air flow through each hole and over entire surface
Heat is removed in short distance (1) into collection cavity
Cool air passes around and behind each PV module in
uniform manner
Heat is removed from back of PV panels similar to back pass
solar air panel

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Testing Criteria

Tests were conducted indoors at Canadas National Solar Test

Facility.

Panels from BP Solar, Evergreen Solar & UniSolar were tested

under NOCT conditions with a 108 ft2 SolarWall test panel

PV modules were mounted approximately 10mm (3/8) above

the SolarWall test panel

Standard test conditions at NOCT (800 Watts/m2, 1 m/s wind

and an open back) & Solar Thermal Conditions (900 Watts/m2
and at 3 m/s wind.

Air Flow heat removal rates selected were 2 cfm/ft2 and 6 cfm/ft2
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PV on SOLARWALL test panel

Evergreen

BP

UniSolar

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PV on SOLARWALL test panel

Danish PV/T Outdoor Testing

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PV Panel Heat Produced

AIR TEMPERATURE RISE @ 2 CFM/FT2
NOCT Test Conditions

Collector Type
BP PV/T
Evergreen PV/T
UniSolar PV/T

[C]
15
14
20
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Air Flow PV (W) PV Actual Thermal (W) Thermal T rise Total

EG
BP
US
US
BP
EG

2
2
2
6
6
6

746
637
477
487
627
753

10.3%
10.4%
6.6%
6.7%
10.3%
10.3%

1878
1954
2542
4076
3545
3229

23.2
24.1
31.4
50.4
43.8
39.6

14.4 32.4
15.1 31.9
19.7 37.3
10.8 56.4
9.4 51.6
8.5 48.8

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PV vs. PV/T Great Lakes Area

CO2 Emissions Reduction

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PV vs. PV/T Great Lakes Area

Renewable Energy Production

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Solar Thermal PV Installations

Chewonki Foundation Center for Environmental Education, Maine

Beeler residence, California

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PV/T Mounting Options

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Conclusions
Results showed that PV modules mounted on top of
SolarWall transpired collector panels can have total
solar efficiency over 50%.
PV modules tested produce 150% to 400% more
thermal energy than electrical energy
UniSolar panels delivered 400% to 800% more
thermal energy than electricity.
PV Thermal offers customers the opportunity to take
advantage of both electricity and thermal energy in
one footprint solving the problem of which solar
technology to use.

Conserval Engineering Inc.

Conserval Systems Inc.

4242 Ridge Lea Rd. Unit 28
Buffalo, NY 14226
Tel: 716-835-4903

Conserval Engineering Inc.

200 Wildcat Rd.
Toronto, ON M3J 2N5
Tel: 416.661.7057

Email: info@solarwall.com
www.solarwall.com

Conserval Engineering Inc.