Performance study of Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) collector with cross-cut fins

Abstract A photovoltaic (PV) panel’s efficiency rises with a drop in operating temperature. Cross-cut fins can be suggested to absorb the PV panel’s waste heat. These fins become useful because they enhance the effective surface area to disperse residual heat. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the electrical and thermal performance of Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) with cross-cut fins compared to cases without fins. Moreover, the cross-cut fins are built in staggered and inline configurations and are fastened beneath the PV’s surface. Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) performance is measured indoors using a solar simulator with twelve 300 W halogen lamps. Several factors are adjusted under the solar simulator’s radiation levels, ranging from 500 to 1000 W/m 2 , and the air mass flow rate, ranging from 0.0085-0.256 kg/s. The findings show that the PV/T collector greatly enhances thermal and electrical performance with cross-cut fins. Results from this work show that the PV/T collector with cross-cut fins achieves the maximum thermal efficiency and electrical efficiency of around 75.77% and 6.93%, respectively, at a constant air mass flow rate of 0.0256 kg/s and radiation of 1000 W/m 2 . Regarding the maximum temperature difference, it is found to be 11.15°C compared to the conventional one. However, comparing the two arrangements provides a slight difference in the performance results.