Performance Comparison of Heat Pipe Photovoltaic/Thermal (HP-PV/T) Wick and Wickless at Different Tilt Angle

Abstract

This research compare the performance of Heat Pipe Photovoltaic/Thermal (HP-PV/T) systems with and without wick at various inclination angles. HP-PV/T is a hybrid technology that combines photovoltaic solar cells with a thermal energy utilization system to enhance overall energy efficiency. Experiments were conducted on HP-PV/T systems at inclination angles of 0°, 30°, and 45°, both with and without wick configurations. Performance parameters evaluated include photovoltaic conversion, thermal, and total efficiency. The research involved direct measurements of solar intensity, water temperature, and the electrical and thermal energy outputs of the systems. The results indicated that the inclination angle and the presence of a wick significantly affect the performance of HP-PV/T systems. The configuration with wick showed higher electrical efficiency about 0.47 %, 0.73 %, and 1.44 % at all inclination angles of 15°, 30°, and 45° compared to the configuration without wick. Additionally, the 45° inclination angle provided optimal performance for both photovoltaic and thermal efficiency. In which, total efficiency (sum of electrical efficiency and thermal efficiency) of wick PVT and wickless PVT at 45° were 38,94 % and 35,42 %, respectively. In this contects, PVT wick was superior than wickless. This study offered important insights into the optimal design and operation of HP-PV/T systems, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable renewable energy technologies.