Exergetic Performance of Jet Impingement Bifacial Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Air Collector with Different Packing Factors and Jet Distributions

Abstract

Jet impingement is a promising cooling mechanism to increase the rate of heat transfer in solar air collector. However, the effects of an impinging air jet on the exergetic performance of a bifacial photovoltaic-thermal with different packing factors are entirely unclear. In this research, a jet impingement bifacial photovoltaic-thermal solar air collector was developed and its exergetic performance was assessed. Jet plate reflectors with different geometric configurations are proposed to enhance the cooling and light absorption at the rear part of the bifacial photovoltaic module. Additionally, the link between exergetic performance and each variable’s design and operational characteristics was examined through indoor experiments. The results showed that the maximum exergy efficiency of the bifacial photovoltaic-thermal with packing factor of 0.66 and 36-hole jet plate reflector has 11.88% under solar irradiance of 900 W/m², and mass flow rate of 0.025 kg/s. The maximum exergy input, exergy destruction, and improvement potential of the proposed system are 402.81 W, 345.62 W, and 304.78 W, respectively.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for its funding (GUP-2018-128).

Notes on contributors

Win Eng Ewe

Win Eng Ewe is a Ph.D. student at Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia. He received the M.Sc. degree in Energy Technology from UKM and B.S. degree in Physics from University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. He is currently preparing his thesis and working on bifacial photovoltaic-thermal solar air collector with jet impingement.

Kamaruzzaman Sopian

Kamaruzzaman Sopian graduated with the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, M.S. in Energy Resources University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Dorgan Solar Laboratory, University of Miami-Coral Gables. His main contributions are in solar radiation modeling and resource assessment, advanced solar photovoltaic systems (grid-connected photovoltaic, solar powered regenerative fuel cell, solar hydrogen production, thin film silicon solar cell) and advanced solar thermal systems (solar cooling, solar heat pump, solar assisted drying, combined photovoltaic thermal or hybrid collector). A Fellow of the Malaysia Academy of Sciences and listed in the 2019–2021 Highly Cited Researchers by the Web of Science Group, Clarivate Analytics.

Murugesan Mohanraj

Murugesan Mohanraj completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Madras in 1999, Master’s degree in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning from Bharathiar University in 2001 and Ph.D. degree from National Institute of Technology, Calicut in 2009. Presently he is working as a Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore. He has wide experience in developing heat pump systems for drying, water heating, space heating and desalination applications. He has published more than 100 technical papers in leading international journals in the field of heat pumps, renewable energy applications, and materials. He has been associated with Al FarabiKazah National University in collaborative research work on heat pumps for space heating applications.

Ahmad Fudholi

Ahmad Fudholi joined the Solar Energy Research Institute as a lecturer in 2014. His current research focus is renewable energy, particularly solar energy technology, micropower systems, solar drying systems, and advanced solar thermal systems (solar-assisted drying, solar heat pumps, PVT systems). He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, of which 65 papers are in the WoS index (50 Q1, impact factor of 5–12) and more than 190 papers are in the Scopus index. In addition, he has published more than 80 papers in international conferences. He has a total citation more than 3000 and a h-index of 27 in Scopus (Author ID: 57195432490). He has a total citation of 4487 and a h-index of 30 in Google Scholar. He has received several awards. He owns one patent and two copyrights.

Nilofar Asim

Nilofar Asim obtained her B.S. in Applied Chemistry, M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry from Tehran University and Ph.D. in Materials Science from National University of Malaysia. She is presently an Associate Professor at the Solar Energy Research Institute, National University of Malaysia. She has been involved in the field of materials science for more than 20 years. Her main contributions are in the synthesis of nanomaterials, composites, and investigation of their application; photocatalysts; geopolymers; materials related to a renewable energy application and recycling and valorization of waste materials for sustainability improvement.

Adnan Ibrahim

Adnan Ibrahim holds a Degree (Hons) in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, M.S. in Integrated Product Development from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, and Ph.D. in Renewable Energy from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Currently he is involved with advanced solar thermal technology focusing on nano fluids and nano particles storage enhanced photovoltaic thermal solar collector system.