Research on the Output Performance of a Solar-Cooled PV/T System

Owing to their high practicability, solar PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) collectors have attracted considerable attention from researchers in both photovoltaic and solar-thermal fields worldwide. In this study, we designed and constructed a novel solar-cooled PV/T system. Through experimental methods, we conducted an in-depth investigation of its thermal and electrical output characteristics and developed mathematical models for both thermal performance and electrical performance. Finally, we validated the experimental data against simulations. The results demonstrate that the designed solar-cooled PV/T system exhibits excellent thermal and electrical output performance. The utilization rate of waste heat from the PV module’s back plate reached 18.59%, and the system’s electrical efficiency improved by 1.92% compared to a conventional PV/T system. This work provides theoretical and experimental guidance for the further optimization and improvement of the solar-cooled PV/T system.