Solar Wall Photo-voltaic/Thermal – Hybrid

Heating and Electricity

 Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors,
sometimes known as hybrid PV/T systems or PVT,
are systems that convert solar
radiation into thermal and electrical energy.
 These systems combine a solar cell, which converts
sunlight into electricity, with a solar thermal collector,
which captures the remaining energy and removes
waste heat from the PV module.
 The capture of both electricity and heat allow these
devices to have higher energy and thus be more
overall energy efficient than solar photovoltaic (PV)
or solar thermal alone. 
  Photovoltaic cells suffer from a drop
in efficiency with the rise in
Concept temperature due to
increased resistance.
 Furthermore, solar PV is inefficient
and some energy is ‘lost’ to the
surrounding environment. What
solar PV needs is a partner able to
complement its strengths and
compensate its deficiencies.
 Such systems(PV/T) can be
engineered to carry heat away from
the PV cells thereby cooling the
cells and thus improving their
efficiency by lowering resistance.
 By placing a solar thermal collector
behind a solar photovoltaic (PV)
array, the PV cells can be cooled.
Function of Solar Wall, Lewis 2008
Benefits

 Solar Wall Photo-voltaic/Thermal – Hybrid

Heating and Electricity Solar Wall PV/T
(photovoltaic + solar thermal) is a hybrid
system which provides up to 4 times the total
energy from the same surface area.
 The secondary benefit is to reduce the
operating temperature of the PV modules
and thereby improve electrical performance.
 The patented system provides both PV
generated electricity and warm air for building
ventilation or process heating.
 Benefits
 As well, the Solar Wall component becomes the PV racking system,
which further reduces PV system costs.
 Solar Duct PV/T is a modular rooftop application of the PV/thermal
technology that also acts as a PV racking system.
 PV modules are mounted on top of the Solar Duct units, and the heat is
drawn off the back of the PV modules and then ducted to the nearest
rooftop air handler.
 The ‘excess heat’ is then channeled into the building’s HVAC system
where it is used to offset the heating load.
Benefits
 The removal of the heat from the back
of the PV modules also enhances the
electrical operating efficiency of the PV
by up to 10%.
 Since the Solar Wall air heating panels
serve as the racking system needed to
mount the PV modules that also
contribute to the costeffectiveness of
the cogeneration system.
 The modular units are easy to install
and are angled at an ideal orientation
for maximum solar gain
 References
SR Research Paper/ Website/ Book Author Year
NO
1 Integrated Study of Measures & Techniques in Namesh Killemsetty 1 2014
Green Building Construction Shridhar A. Behare 2