Advancing performance assessment of a spectral beam splitting hybrid PV/T system with water-based SiO₂ nanofluid

Abstract

Spectral beam split is attracting more attention thanks to the efficient use of whole spectrum solar energy and the cogenerative supply for electricity and heat. Nanofluids can selectively absorb and deliver specific solar spectra, making various nanofluids ideal for potential use in hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems for solar spectrum separation. Clarifying the effects of design parameters is extremely beneficial for optimal frequency divider design and system performance enhancement. The water-based SiO₂ nanofluid with excellent thermal and absorption properties was proposed as the spectral beam splitter in the present study, to improve the efficiency of a hybrid PV/T system. Moreover, a dual optical path method was applied to get its spectral transimissivity and analyze the impact of its concentration and optical path on its optical properties. Furthermore, a PV and photothermal model of the presented system was built to investigate the system performance. The result indicates that the transimissivity of the nanofluids to solar radiation gradually decreases with increasing SiO₂ nanofluid concentration and optical path. The higher nanofluid concentration leads to a lower electrical conversion efficiency, a higher thermal conversion efficiency, and an overall system efficiency. Considering the overall efficiency and economic cost, the optimal SiO₂ nanofluid concentration is 0.10 wt.% (wt.%, mass fraction). Increasing the optical path (from 0 to 30 mm) results in a 60.43% reduction in electrical conversion efficiency and a 50.84% increase in overall system efficiency. However, the overall system efficiency rises sharply as the optical path increases in the 0–10 mm range, and then slowly at the optical path of 10–30 mm. Additionally, the overall system efficiency increases first and then drops upon increasing the focusing ratio. The maximum efficiency is 51.93% at the focusing ratio of 3.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

full-spectrum solar energy / photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system / water-based nanofluid / system efficiency

References

[1] Li G, Li M, Taylor R. . Solar energy utilisation: Current status and roll-out potential. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2022, 209: 118285

[2] Liu D Y, Lei C X, Wu K. . A multidirectionally thermoconductive phase change material enables high and durable electricity via real-environment solar–thermal–electric conversion. ACS Nano, 2020, 14(11): 15738–15747

[3] Tang Z D, Gao Y, Cheng P. . Metal-organic framework derived magnetic phase change nanocage for fast-charging solar–thermal energy conversion. Nano Energy, 2022, 99: 107383

[4] LiW. Photovoltaic–photothermal–thermo–chemical comple-mentary solar energy utilization theory, method and system. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Beijing: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2018 (in Chinese)

[5] Kumar V S, Kumar R, Barthwal M, et al. A review on futuristic aspects of hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems (PV/T) in solar energy utilization: Engineering and technological approaches. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2022, 53(Part A): 102463

[6] Qi Y, Liu Z Y, Shi Y. . Size optimization of nanoparticle and stability analysis of nanofluids for spectral beam splitting hybrid PV/T system. Materials Research Bulletin, 2023, 162: 112184

[7] Bellos E, Tzivanidis C. Investigation of a nanofluid-based concentrating thermal photovoltaic with a parabolic reflector. Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 180: 171–182

[8] Zhou B, Pei J, Nasir D M. . A review on solar pavement and photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. Transportation Research Part D, Transport and Environment, 2021, 93: 102753

[9] Christiansen J, Vester-Petersen J, Roesgaard S. . Strongly enhanced upconversion in trivalent erbium ions by tailored gold nanostructures: Toward high-efficient silicon-based photovoltaics. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2020, 208: 110406

[10] Lebbi M, Touafek K, Benchatti A. . Energy performance improvement of a new hybrid PV/T Bi-fluid system using active cooling and self-cleaning: Experimental study. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2021, 182: 116033

[11] Yu Q, Chan S, Chen K. . Numerical and experimental study of a novel vacuum photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector for efficient solar energy harvesting. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2024, 236: 121580

[12] Margoum S, El Fouas C, Hajji B. . Modelling and performances assessment of a nanofluids-based PV/T hybrid collector. Energy Sources. Part A, Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2023, 45(1): 3070–3086

[13] Maka A O M, O’Donovan T S. A review of thermal load and performance characterisation of a high concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) solar receiver assembly. Solar Energy, 2020, 206: 35–51

[14] Bayrak F, Oztop H F, Selimefendigil F. Experimental study for the application of different cooling techniques in photovoltaic (PV) panels. Energy Conversion and Management, 2020, 212: 112789

[15] Chauhan A, Tyagi V V, Anand S. Futuristic approach for thermal management in solar PV/thermal systems with possible applications. Energy Conversion and Management, 2018, 163: 314–354

[16] Deymi-Dashtebayaz M, Rezapour M. The effect of using nanofluid flow into a porous channel in the CPVT under transient solar heat flux based on energy and exergy analysis. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2021, 145(2): 507–521

[17] Yang M, Cao B Y. Numerical study on flow and heat transfer of a hybrid microchannel cooling scheme using manifold arrangement and secondary channels. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 159: 113896

[18] Rosa-Clot M, Rosa-Clot P, Tina G M. . Submerged photovoltaic solar panel: SP2. Renewable Energy, 2010, 35(8): 1862–1865

[19] Rosa-Clot M, Rosa-Clot P, Tina G M. . Experimental photovoltaic–thermal power plants based on TESPI panel. Solar Energy, 2016, 133: 305–314

[20] Yazdanifard F, Ameri M, Taylor R A. Numerical modeling of a concentrated photovoltaic/thermal system which utilizes a PCM and nanofluid spectral splitting. Energy Conversion and Management, 2020, 215: 112927

[21] Hamada A T, Sharaf O Z, Orhan M F. Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collectors employing phase-change nano-capsules as spectral filters: Coupled, decoupled, and partially-coupled configurations. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2024, 236(Part D): 121841

[22] CuiYZhuQ Z. Study of photovoltaic thermal systems with MgO-water nanofluids flowing over silicon solar cells. In: Proceedings of the 2012 Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference. Shanghai: IEEE, 2012

[23] Liu Y, Dong S, Liu Y. . Experimental investigation on optimal nanofluid-based PV/T system. Journal of Photonics for Energy, 2019, 9(2): 1

[24] Yu G, Yang H, Yan Z. . A review of designs and performance of façade-based building integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BIPVT) systems. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2021, 182: 116081

[25] Alsaqoor S, Alqatamin A, Alahmer A. . The impact of phase change material on photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems: A numerical study. International Journal of Thermofluids, 2023, 18: 100365

[26] Ding F, Han X. Performance enhancement of a nanofluid filtered solar membrane distillation system using heat pump for electricity/water cogeneration. Renewable Energy, 2023, 210: 79–94

[27] BellagardaAGrassi DAlibertiA, . Effectiveness of neural networks and transfer learning to forecast photovoltaic power production. Applied Soft Computing,2023,149(Part A): 110988

[28] Seghiour A, Abbas H A, Chouder A. . Deep learning method based on autoencoder neural network applied to faults detection and diagnosis of photovoltaic system. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 2023, 123: 102704

[29] Sharma R, Suhag S. Feedback linearization based control for weak grid connected PV system under normal and abnormal conditions. Frontiers in Energy, 2020, 14(2): 400–409

[30] Menbari A, Alemrajabi A A, Ghayeb Y. Experimental investigation of stability and extinction coefficient of Al₂O₃ –CuO binary nanoparticles dispersed in ethylene glycol–water mixture for low-temperature direct absorption solar collectors. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, 108: 501–510

[31] Zhang C, Shen C, Zhang Y. . Optimization of the electricity/heat production of a PV/T system based on spectral splitting with Ag nanofluid. Renewable Energy, 2021, 180: 30–39

[32] Zhou Y P, Li M J, Hu Y H. . Design and experimental investigation of a novel full solar spectrum utilization system. Applied Energy, 2020, 260: 114258

[33] Han X, Wang Q, Zheng J. Determination and evaluation of the optical properties of dielectric liquids for concentrating photovoltaic immersion cooling applications. Solar Energy, 2016, 133: 476–484

[34] RenJ. Research on the control strategy of PV microgrid hybrid energy storage. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Changsha: North Central University, 2021 (in Chinese)

[35] Hjerrild N E, Mesgari S, Crisostomo F. . Hybrid PV/T enhancement using selectively absorbing Ag–SiO₂/carbon nanofluids. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2016, 147: 281–287

[36] Han X, Chen X, Wang Q. . Investigation of CoSO₄-based Ag nanofluids as spectral beam splitters for hybrid PV/T applications. Solar Energy, 2019, 177: 387–394

[37] Meraje W C, Huang C C, Barman J. . Design and experimental study of a Fresnel lens-based concentrated photovoltaic thermal system integrated with nanofluid spectral splitter. Energy Conversion and Management, 2022, 258: 115455

[38] Li W, Abd El-Samie M M, Zhao S. . Division methods and selection principles for the ideal optical window of spectral beam splitting photovoltaic/thermal systems. Energy Conversion and Management, 2021, 247: 114736

[39] ChenX B. Performance study of photovoltaic/thermal system based on Ag/CoSO₄ nanofluid spectral filtration. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Zhenjiang: Jiangsu University, 2019 (in Chinese)

[40] HanX YXue D SGuoY J, . Analysis of the spectrally selective liquid optical properties of a concentrated frequency division PV/T system. Journal of Engineering Thermophy, 2017, 38(11): 2313−2319 (in Chinese)

[41] Hale G M, Querry M R. Optical constants of water in the 200 nm to 200 m wavelength region. Applied Optics, 1973, 12(3): 555–563

[42] Smith R C, Baker K S. Optical properties of the clearest natural waters (200–800 nm). Applied Optics, 1981, 20(2): 177–184

[43] Kent F, Palmer D W. Optical properties of water in the near infrared. Journal of the Optical Society of America, 1974, 64: 1107–1110

[44] ChenX B. Performance study of photovoltaic photothermal system based on Ag/CoSO₄ nanofluid spectral splitting. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Zhenjiang: Jiangsu University, 2019 (in Chinese)

[45] SultanaT M GTaylorRRosengarten G. Performance of a linear Fresnel rooftop mounted concentrating solar collector. In: Proceedings of the 50th Australian Solar Energy Society Conference. Melbourne Australia, 2012

[46] Karthikeyan V, Sirisamphanwong C, Sukchai S. . Reducing PV module temperature with radiation based PV module incorporating composite phase change material. Journal of Energy Storage, 2020, 29: 101346

[47] Al-Shohani W A M, Al-Dadah R, Mahmoud S. Reducing the thermal load of a photovoltaic module through an optical water filter. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 109: 475–486

[48] Balakin B V, Struchalin P G. Eco-friendly and low-cost nanofluid for direct absorption solar collectors. Materials Letters, 2023, 330: 133323

[49] Huo M, Zhang X, He J. Causality relationship between the photovoltaic market and its manufacturing in China, Germany, the US, and Japan. Frontiers in Energy, 2011, 5(1): 43–48

[50] Ahmed S, Ahshan K H N, Mondal M N A. . Application of metal oxides-based nanofluids in PV/T systems: A review. Frontiers in Energy, 2022, 16(3): 397–428

[51] Al-Shohani W A M, Sabouri A, Al-Dadah R. . Experimental investigation of an optical water filter for photovoltaic/thermal conversion module. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, 111: 431–442

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFE0208300), and the Multi-input Key Project of the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation, China (Grant No. 22JCZDJC00760), and Funded by the Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department, China (Grant No. CXY2024027).

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Notations

Abbreviations
AM1.5	Solar irradiance for air mass 1.5 W/m2
DI	Deionized water
HTF	Heat transfer fluid
PV	Photovoltaic
PV/T	Photovoltaic/thermal
SBS	Spectral beam splitting
TESPI	Thermal electric solar panel integration
Symbols
A	Area/m2
D	Cuvette thickness/mm
E	Energy
FF	Filling factor of solar cells
G	Intensity of sunlight exposure energy
I	Intensity of current/A
k	Empirical parameters of solar cells
K	Boltzmann constant
N	Number of batteries
P	Power/W
q	Electron quantity
r	Relative temperature coefficient
R	Resistance/Ω
T	transimissivity measurement/%
V	Voltage/V
x	Fluid thickness/mm
Greek letters
α	Absorption coefficient
δ	Temperature coefficient of power
λ	Wavelength/nm
τ	transimissivity/%
η	Coefficient
Subscripts
air, cuv	Air–cuvette interface
c	Colorimetric dish
d	Dark
el	Electricity
fl	Fliud
flu, cuv	Fluid–cuvette interface
g0	Semiconductor bandwidth gap
i	Intensity
m	Maximum
n	Standard
oc	Open-circuit
p	Power plant
ph	Photogenerated
pv	Photovoltaic
ref	Referent
rs	Reverse saturation
s	Series
sc	Short-circuit
sh	Shunt
th	Thermal output
tot	Total
collector	Collector
0	Saturation
1	Liquid thickness of first cuvette
2	Liquid thickness of second cuvette

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press 2024