Dynamic performance of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collector wall in Hong Kong

This paper presents a computational thermal model that has been used for analyzing the annual performance of facade-integrated hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collector system for use in residential buildings of Hong Kong. In the study, the applications of EPV (film cell) and BPV (single silicon cell) panels in this hybrid photovoltaic/hot-water system were investigated. Simulation results based on test reference year data showed that the annual average electrical efficiencies of the hybrid EPV and BPV modules are, respectively, 4.3% and 10.3%, the corresponding annual average thermal efficiencies to hot water are 47.6% and 43.2%, and the reductions of space heat gain in summer season through the collector wall are 52.9% and 59.1%. The overall thermal efficiencies are 58.9% and 70.3% respectively, which are much better than the conventional solar collector performance. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.