Performance evaluation of photovoltaic thermal hybrid system using copper oxide nanofluids

The effect of cooling a flat plate collector integrated photovoltaic thermal (PVT) hybrid system with copper oxide nanofluid at different concentrations was compared with a non-cooled system. The Photovoltaic thermal hybrid system was designed with an efficient serpentine coil-based thermal absorber setup and was tested using various nanofluid concentrations. Copper oxide nanofluid empowered the system to attain significant electrical and thermal performance at higher concentrations. The electrical efficiency of the hybrid photovoltaic system increased by 17.61% at 0.05 M nanofluid concentration. The average value of the thermal efficiency increased by 71.17% at 0.05M nanofluid concentration. The thermal efficiency of the nanofluid-cooled module was found to be much better due to the improved heat absorption of nanoparticles. The solar panel surface temperature of the nanofluid-cooled system reduced from 68.4 ℃ (non-cooled system) to 44.74 ℃ (0.05 M) at noon. The highest efficiency values are achieved at a 0.05 M concentration of nanofluid.