Analysis of the Efficiency of an Innovative Hybrid Thermal Photovoltaic Collector

The research is devoted to the development and optimization of a hybrid power supply system (HPS) with a hybrid thermal photovoltaic solar collector (HTPSC), capable of using solar radiation as efficiently as possible. The aim of the research is to focus on the development and improvement of HTPSC for the most efficient use of solar radiation. Attention is paid to increasing its thermal and electrical performance. Optimization of the design and correct placement of the HTPSC are key factors that contribute to minimizing heat losses and increasing the efficiency of its operation. The active use of such a solution will contribute to the modernization of the energy infrastructure, strengthening economic stability and creating conditions for sustainable development of society. The proposed design of the HTPSC consists of two modules: a thermal photovoltaic module, which simultaneously generates thermal and electrical energy (using photovoltaic cells), and a separate thermal module, which produces heat using solar radiation concentrators placed in it. All key parameters of the system were recorded at an interval of 5 minutes, while the coolant circulation rate remained stable. This ensured the objectivity of the results obtained and allowed us to assess the potential for further optimization of the system. Within the framework of experimental studies, six tests were conducted at an ambient temperature of 15 °C and a specific mass flow rate of the coolant in the system circuit G = 0.01 kg/(m2⋅s). The first three studies were performed at a fixed angle of inclination of the HTPSC to the horizon β = 30°, while the azimuthal angle of deviation of the normal to the HTPSC from the local meridian α and the intensity of solar radiation in its plane "I" _"t" were changed. The next three tests were carried out at "I" _"t" " = 300" "W/" "m" ^"2" , with α and β remaining as variable parameters. As a result of the first three experiments, it was found that increasing α from 30° to 70° contributes to an increase in the thermal efficiency of the HTPSC "η" _"HTPSC" by 42 % and 70 %, the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic cells "η" _"PC" by half, and the thermal efficiency of the HPS with HTPSC "η" _"HPS with HTPSC" by 48.7 % and 73.5 % at It equal to "300" "W/" "m" ^"2" and "700" "W/" "m" ^"2" , respectively. With an increase in "I" _"t" from "300" "W/" "m" ^"2" to "700" "W/" "m" ^"2" , "η" _"HTPSC" and "η" _"HPS with HTPSC" decrease on average by 29 % and 40 %, while "η" _"PC" remains constant at β = 70° and β = 30°, respectively. In the next three experiments with an increase in α from 30° to 70°, the efficiency also increases: "η" _"HTPSC" by 36.7 % and 42.4 %, and "η" _"HPS with HTPSC" by 35.4 % and 48.7 %, "η" _"PC" doubles for β = 70° and β = 30°, respectively. With a fixed "α = 30°" , increasing the angle β from 30° to 70° has almost no effect on "η" _"HTPSC" and "η" _"HPS with HTPSC" , changing them by only 2 %. However, with "α = 70°" , the same increase in the angle β leads to a decrease in "η" _"HTPSC" and "η" _"HPS with HTPSC" by an average of 6 %. At the same time, "η" _"PC" remains constant in both cases.