Experimental investigation of concurrent utilization of photovoltaic cells with thermal systems in hybrid solar collectors

Authors

Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology

10.22044/jsfm.2026.17508.4049

Abstract

Solar energy, as one of the most sustainable energy resources, plays a pivotal role in addressing the growing global energy demand. However, the rise in photovoltaic (PV) cell temperature directly leads to a reduction in electrical efficiency; therefore, effective thermal management is essential for performance enhancement. In this study, a tri-generation solar collector integrating simultaneous electricity generation with thermal energy recovery for water and air heating is experimentally investigated. Furthermore, the effects of incorporating reflectors and enhancing heat transfer mechanisms on the overall system performance are systematically evaluated. The results indicate that increasing the fluid flow rate leads to a reduction in thermal efficiency, while liquid working fluids exhibit superior heat transfer performance compared to gaseous media. Additionally, reducing the operating temperature of PV cells improves electrical efficiency; specifically, during peak solar irradiance periods, an enhancement in electrical efficiency ranging from 3% to 5.7% is observed across different experimental conditions.

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Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics
Volume 16, Issue 3
July and August 2026
Pages 315-329

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