Numerical investigation of indirect parallel PVT solar systems using MATLAB/simulink

Abstract In this paper, an original numerical investigation of indirect parallel photovoltaic/thermal system integration using Matlab/Simulink is carried out. The added value is to evaluate the potential use of integrated PVT (Photovoltaic-Thermal) solar systems in residential applications and the possibility of controlling and investigating their performance to optimize the results under weather conditions throughout the year. A substantial number of annual simulations have been conducted to encompass the best performance using each control, with an emphasis on two configurations of cooling approaches. Results show that an optimal mass flow rate of about 0.0125 kg/s for both collector and storage tank pumps was found. For the direct cooling method, results reveal an increase in overall system efficiency of the order of 41.4%. In addition, the paper compares the PVT system with a stand-alone PVT collector, and the results indicate that integrated PVT leads to a relative improvement in electrical and thermal efficiency of about 7.89% and 24.62%, respectively.