Implementation and Experimental Validation of a Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) Collector Model in TRNSYS

Abstract

Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors are hybrid solutions for solar collectors converting solar energy in electrical and thermal energy. To figure out best solutions and new possibilities for the application of PVT collectors, system simulations are often used as first step before proving in real applications. At this, the development of well-validated PVT collector models is an important task. This contribution presents the implementation of a performance model for the electrical part of PVT collectors in TRNSYS, which can be coupled to existing models of solar thermal collectors for the simulation of hybrid PVT collectors, and first results of the model validation with experimental measurements of three different PVT collectors. Furthermore, a parameter identification process with TRNSYS and GenOpt for a coupled PVT collector model is introduced and described in detail. In addition, a comparison of the electrical model with a four-parameter (single diode) PV model is presented to figure out if its implementation will improve the accuracy of the simulation results. The presented results pointed out that the PVT model in combination with the proposed parameter identification process achieves a good agreement of simulated and measured thermal and electrical power output for the analyzed PVT collector types and operating conditions.