Analysis of Photovoltaic Thermal Using F-Chart Method for Domestic Hot Water

Abstract

The purpose of this analysisis to determine the feasibility of the photovoltaic-thermal collector for domestic water heating application. Theoretical F-chart method was adopted in estimatingthe monthly energy generated by the solar water heating system. The study conducted in Ayer Keroh, Malacca where the weather data analysed using isotropic model. The monthly water heating load is designed to meet the requirements of a typical family house with four occupants. The collector tilt angle, heat transfer fluid, transmittance absorptance and loss coefficient follow the design parameters imposed by the F-Chart Method. Detail analysis indicates the photovoltaic thermal system is capable of meeting 94.0% of annual water heating load demandunder optimal surface area of 7.48m².The system produced 2,562.60kWh heating energy per year, which is almost equivalent to the solar thermal performance under 5.61m². In conclusion, the integration of photovoltaic thermal is acceptable for domestic water heating application in a tropical climate such as Malaysia although it generates lower thermal energy output per area than the conventional solar thermal collector.