Comparative analysis on photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system using monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon modules

A photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system combines conventional PV systems with solar thermal collectors to produce both thermal and electrical energy. Nowadays, experts are still working to increase PVT systems’ electrical and thermal efficiency. By contrasting the types of solar panels installed in the system, this research seeks to evaluate the efficiencies generated by the PVT system. This work summarizes and compares various PVT systems from various sources, both air-based and water-based, and then categorizes the sample into two major modules: monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon. Both module types were analyzed by their electricity efficiency and thermal efficiency. The results of the comparison are delivered into the graph of efficiency range which exploits the relationship between the types of solar modules used in the PVT system and the efficiency in terms of percentages. It was discovered that the best electrical efficiency for PVT systems was acquired by employing polycrystalline silicon solar modules at 15.5%. Moreover, another finding showed that a polycrystalline solar module used in a PVT system with nanofluid cooling might generate an optimum thermal efficiency of 81.5%. These results demonstrate that the electrical and thermal efficiency of PVT systems can be increased by using polycrystalline solar panels and nanofluid cooling.