# An Experimental Performance on Solar Photovoltaic Thermal Collector with Nanofluids for Sustainable Development

Authors: Srinivasulu Gundala; M. Mahaboob Basha; V. Madhurima; N. Praveena; S. Venkatesh Kumar
Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials
 (2021)

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## Abstract

In this article, the photovoltaic thermal collector (PVT) have designed and fabricated using nanoparticle nanofluid. The cause of this is to check out the effect of using water and water-based totally graphene nanoplatelets at an awareness of 0.05 wt% on the performance of PVT structures. Outdoor assessments have been performed at quantity along with the float prices of 0.5 L/min and 1.0 L/min for the aforementioned nanofluids, respectively, using water as a reference fluid. The results that have been analyzed from an active angle confirmed and determined that, graphene water nanofluid achieved higher in phrases of photovoltaic active conversion, than water that might generate the first-class thermal performance sooner or later of the peak period of sun radiation and high mobile temperature. The inclusion of water in the PVT collector increases average daily electrical efficiency by 7.8%, and 8.5%at flow rates of 0.5 LPM and 1.0 LPM, respectively. Furthermore, using water in the PVT collector increases average daily thermal efficiency by 24.9%, and 26.3%at flow rates of 0.5 LPM and 1.0 LPM, respectively.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro, biogas, tidal, and waves plays a vital role all over the world. Solar energy is one of the eminent renewable power resources that offer future technology properly [1]. The critical software of solar strength can be labeled into two kinds: sun thermal device, which renovates sun electricity to thermal energy, and photovoltaic (PV) device, which transfigures solar electricity to electric power [2]. Usually, the structures are used after the opportunity [3]. The combined shape of sun thermal and photovoltaic (PV) is thought to be a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system [4]. A noteworthy study which works on PVT structures has been completed in the past 50 years [5, 6]. Increasing the temperature of a solar panel by way of one degree Celsius has been shown to result as zero [7, 8], five percent lower in electric performance for silicon cells [9]. As an end result, solar panels can be cooled using an expansion of coolants, along with water and nanofluids. The following arethe number of most trendy research that have been tested in this literature. Wolf [10] provided an idea of PV/T creditors for the first time and large observation has been carried out at the general performance of the module using experimental and theoretical techniques, with water-cooled flat-panel PV/T lenders, being frequently used .Natrayan and Merneedi [11] pioneered the use of water or air as a fluid medium in a sun thermal collector. Sardarabadi et al. [12] performed a test in PVT systems using water, due to the fact that bottom fluid and Sio2 nanofluid at adaquate concentrations. They observed that, standard overall performance come to be 3.6 percent for 1 wt percentage and 7.9 percent for 3 wt percentage whilst in evaluation to PVT water. Ghadiri et al. [13] tested diverse portions of water and ferro fluid (Fe3O4/water) in an indoor PVT device. In comparison to a PV gadget, the overall modified performance is proven to be 45 percent. Sardarabadi and Passandideh-Fard [14] combined three types of nanodebris (Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO) with deionized water at an attention of 0-2 wt%. The authors concluded that TiO2 and ZnO had higher electrical performance, and ZnO had higher thermal performance.Al-Shamani et al. [15] investigated with the glide prices on diverse nanofluids together with SiO2, TiO2, SiC, and water as a base fluid. According to the results, SiC had the very fantastic electric-powered performance around thirteen, fifty percent and usual performance of 81.73 percent. Soltani et al. [16] accomplished experimental research in a PVT device using a Fe3O4/water nanofluid. It was concluded that preferred typical performance and electricity technology had been advanced by using the use of 13% and 52%, respectively. The authors additionally confirmed that, using SiO2 stepped forward trendy, overall performance and electricity output is 3.35 percent and 54.29 percent, respectively.Al-Waeli et al. [17] experimentally studied 3 varieties of water-based totally nanofluids consisting of Al2O3, CuO, and SiC on photovoltaic thermal creditors. It ends up locating that SiC had better thermal conductivity than the alternative nanofluids. Natrayan et al. [18] achieved an experiment having an observation on the silica/water nanofluid and its overall performance in a PVT system. It is determined that overall performance and exergy might be stepped forward by way of 7.9% and 24.3%, respectively. For lengthy-term stability, Ag/water nanofluid turn out to be dealt with through electric-powered explosion of wire [19, 20] and the device modified into evaluated the usage of thermodynamics, specifically power and energy performance.This test turned into carried out with varied concentrations and glide regimes. The intention of this check is to draw interest to the use of carbon nanomaterials in improving the general performance of PVT systems. To the greatness of the author’s understanding, graphene nanoplatelet nanofluid grows to be experimentally explored in this paper for nonconcentrating PVT tool and evaluates its typical overall performance. The authors examined in contrast the electric and thermal efficiency of water and the use of nanofluids on a PVT collector.


## 2. Analytical Methodology

Two kinds of energy analysis were carried out in this study such as electrical and thermal performance of PVT collector [21] as given below.


### 2.1. Electrical Energy Analysis

The electrical efficiency of a PV/T system is typically used to decide its electric overall performance [22]. The most viable performance at a given solar intensity is received, through dividing the maximum appropriate electric-powered energy output of the PV module, with the useful resource of the sun intensity accomplishing the PV module’s glazing surface [23].
(1)ηelec=PmaxQs,where Pmax is the maximum electrical energy output from the PV module and may be calculated using Equation (2). The rate of solar energy received by the panel, which can be calculated using Equation (3).
(2)Pmax=ImpVmp,where Imp denotes the maximum current (amps) and maximum voltage (volts) of the panel.
(3)Qs=AcolIG,where Acol is the area of the collector (m2) and IG is the solar intensity (W/m2).


### 2.2. Thermal Energy Analysis

The term thermal efficiency is commonly used to describe the thermal performance of aPV/Tsystem [24]. The low temperature heat is created from the rear side of the solar panel (as shown by the equation below).
(4)ηther=QuQs,where Qu is the rate of useful low temperature heat attained by the solar panel, which can be drawn from
(5)Qu=mCpΔT=mCpTo−Ti,where m is mass flow rate of the fluid (Kg/s), Cp is specific heat capacity of the fluid (kJ/kg K), ΔT is difference in temperature (K), To is the outlet fluid temperature (K), and Ti is the inlet fluid temperature (K) [25].


### 2.3. Experimental Methodology

A photovoltaic thermal sun collector is made from a storage tank, a nanofluid tank, a water pump, a temperature gauge, and a pressure gauge [26]. The outdoor dimensions of the PV/STSC tool are 1640 mm in period, 992 mm in width, and 35 mm in peak, with serpentine copper tube diameter and top of 6.35 mm and 1600 mm, respectively [27]. The technical characteristics of the PV panel evaluated in these studies are confirmed in Table 1. A storage tank with an indoor diameter of 300 mm and a top of 500 mm becomes built out of chrome steel [28].Table 1
Technical specification of PV panel.
SpecificationValuesPp260 WVmp30.18 VImp7.96AVoc36.72 VIsc8.99ATlc0.045%K-1Single-cell dimension156mm×156mmSingle-module dimension1640mm×992mm×35mmGlass wool insulation with a thickness of 0.07 m was put around the storage tank’s perimeter and associated pipes. The flow rate of the HTF, as well as the system’s intake and outlet pressure differential, was monitored with a rotameter and a pressure gauge. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid, as well as the system’s current and voltage, was measured every 30 minutes. The experimental testing facilities are depicted in Figure1.Figure 1
Photographic view of experimental setup.The experiment was carried out from June to August 2020, with the system-oriented East-West. The photographic view of experimental setup is shown in Figure1. Schematic view of the architectural design details is displayed in Figure 2. Preparation of nanofluid and its related things are depicted in Figure 3.Figure 2
Schematic view of experimental setup.Figure 3
Preparation of nanoparticle and nanofluid during the laboratory.


## 2.1. Electrical Energy Analysis

The electrical efficiency of a PV/T system is typically used to decide its electric overall performance [22]. The most viable performance at a given solar intensity is received, through dividing the maximum appropriate electric-powered energy output of the PV module, with the useful resource of the sun intensity accomplishing the PV module’s glazing surface [23].
(1)ηelec=PmaxQs,where Pmax is the maximum electrical energy output from the PV module and may be calculated using Equation (2). The rate of solar energy received by the panel, which can be calculated using Equation (3).
(2)Pmax=ImpVmp,where Imp denotes the maximum current (amps) and maximum voltage (volts) of the panel.
(3)Qs=AcolIG,where Acol is the area of the collector (m2) and IG is the solar intensity (W/m2).


## 2.2. Thermal Energy Analysis

The term thermal efficiency is commonly used to describe the thermal performance of aPV/Tsystem [24]. The low temperature heat is created from the rear side of the solar panel (as shown by the equation below).
(4)ηther=QuQs,where Qu is the rate of useful low temperature heat attained by the solar panel, which can be drawn from
(5)Qu=mCpΔT=mCpTo−Ti,where m is mass flow rate of the fluid (Kg/s), Cp is specific heat capacity of the fluid (kJ/kg K), ΔT is difference in temperature (K), To is the outlet fluid temperature (K), and Ti is the inlet fluid temperature (K) [25].


## 2.3. Experimental Methodology

A photovoltaic thermal sun collector is made from a storage tank, a nanofluid tank, a water pump, a temperature gauge, and a pressure gauge [26]. The outdoor dimensions of the PV/STSC tool are 1640 mm in period, 992 mm in width, and 35 mm in peak, with serpentine copper tube diameter and top of 6.35 mm and 1600 mm, respectively [27]. The technical characteristics of the PV panel evaluated in these studies are confirmed in Table 1. A storage tank with an indoor diameter of 300 mm and a top of 500 mm becomes built out of chrome steel [28].Table 1
Technical specification of PV panel.
SpecificationValuesPp260 WVmp30.18 VImp7.96AVoc36.72 VIsc8.99ATlc0.045%K-1Single-cell dimension156mm×156mmSingle-module dimension1640mm×992mm×35mmGlass wool insulation with a thickness of 0.07 m was put around the storage tank’s perimeter and associated pipes. The flow rate of the HTF, as well as the system’s intake and outlet pressure differential, was monitored with a rotameter and a pressure gauge. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid, as well as the system’s current and voltage, was measured every 30 minutes. The experimental testing facilities are depicted in Figure1.Figure 1
Photographic view of experimental setup.The experiment was carried out from June to August 2020, with the system-oriented East-West. The photographic view of experimental setup is shown in Figure1. Schematic view of the architectural design details is displayed in Figure 2. Preparation of nanofluid and its related things are depicted in Figure 3.Figure 2
Schematic view of experimental setup.Figure 3
Preparation of nanoparticle and nanofluid during the laboratory.


## 3. Results and Discussion

The collected data is averaged and provided for further computations and examination at every 15 seconds. The trial days’ climatic parameters, solar intensity, and ambient temperature have been accumulated and displayed in Figure4. The distribution of sun radiation for the duration is a bell form, with the highest rate at 12:00 pm being 1017.07 W/m2 and the lowest values being 307.18 W/m2 at 7:00 am and 229.29 W/m2 at 17:00 pm, in step with this graph. The day-by-day common place ambient temperature climbs from 29.36°C at 09:00 A.M. to 34.23°C at 17:00 P.M. The consequences of electrical energy on water and nanofluid waft charges of 0.5 and 1.0 litres in line with minute are shown in Figure 5. Electrical energy grew with time until 12 pm because of developing solar intensity, however, then declined. The common electrical electricity for water is with glide quotes of 0. 5 LPM and 1.0 LPM have become around 46.43 W and 50.34 W, respectively. Similarly, the common electric-powered electricity for water primarily based graphene nanofluids with 0.05 percent concentrations of 0.5 and 1. Zero LPM becomes 51.81 W and 53.28 W, respectively. The electrical power of PV panels grew in proportion to the flow rate [21, 22].Figure 4
Average results of the solar radiation, ambient temperature, and wind speed at the experimental set up.Figure 5
Electrical power generation of the water and nanofluid with different flow rates.Figure6 depicts the impact of electrical efficiency on water and nanofluid flow rates of 0.5 and 1.0 liters per minute. Electrical power decreases with time until 12 p.m. due to increased solar intensity, then increases. The average electrical efficiency for water flow rates of 0.5 and 1.0 LPM was around 13.03 percent and 14.19 percent, respectively. Additionally, the average electrical efficiency of water-based graphene nanofluids with 0.05 percent concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 LPM was 14.92%, and 15.93%, respectively. Electrical efficiency, like electrical power, and coolent flow rate increased [29]. Figure 7 exposed that, the heat energy gained of the water and nanofluid with different flow rates.Figure 6
Electrical efficiency of the water and nanofluid with different flow rates.Figure 7
Heat energy gained of the water and nanofluid with different flow rates.Thermal overall performance of PVT collector with water primarily based on nanofluids has been located at particular drift charges. As seen from Figure8, maximum thermal overall performance for water at 0.5 LPM turn out to be 56.7%, and 61.2%, respectively. Similarly, a bent had been found for 1.0 LPM for water-based totally graphene nanofluids with 0.05% attention modified into determined to be 66.3% and 69 and 5%, respectively. Thermal normal performance of PVT device changed into more first-class through increasing flow charge due to the reality at higher glide fee temperature distinction among inlet and outlet of PV/T device becomes extra due to excessive warmth absorption of nanofluid from tool [29].Figure 8
Thermal efficiency of the water and nanofluid with different flow rates.


## 4. Conclusion

The overall performance of a PVT collector accomplished through water and graphene nanoplatelets-water nanofluid with a concentration of 0.5 wt% has acheved in this experimental studies. It changed into tested from the factor of view of the first regulation of thermodynamics at regular coolant together with the flow prices of 0.5 L/m and 1.0 L/m, which may be compared. The use of water in the PVT collector complements not unusual each day electric-powered performance with the aid of 8.5%, while using water-based totally graphene nanofluids inside the PVT collector boosts common each day thermal overall performance thru manner of 26.3%.



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