Theoretical model of low concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (LCPV/T) system based on linear Fresnel reflector mirrors

Abstract Global energy demands and the thermal degradation of conventional photovoltaic (PV) modules necessitate the development of integrated systems that harvest both electrical and thermal energy. To address the inefficiency caused by rising cell temperatures under concentration, this research focuses on creating a cost-effective, portable residential solar solution. It is hypothesized that integrating linear Fresnel reflector mirrors (LFRMs) with an active water-cooling loop can significantly increase power output while maintaining cell temperature stability. A 3D numerical model was developed and validated to evaluate the system’s performance across concentration ratios of 1 to 3 and varying water flow rates up to 1.5 L/min. Results demonstrate that the hybrid system achieves peak outputs of 340 W (electrical) and 1170 W (thermal) at a concentration ratio of 3, representing a three-fold power increase compared to non-concentrating counterparts. The study concludes that the proposed low-concentrated photovoltaic/Thermal LCPV/T design provides a practical, high-efficiency pathway for residential sustainable energy production by effectively balancing concentrated solar gain with active thermal management.