Potential application of electrical performance enhancement methods in PV/T module

Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules have been proposed to generate more electricity and heat, which can improve the solar energy conversion efficiency per unit area. However, the photovoltaic (PV) efficiency of PV/T modules decreases as the PV cell temperature increases, which significantly affects the solar energy conversion efficiency of PV/T modules. Here, four temperature profiles (uniform, single-Gaussian, double-Gaussian, multi-Gaussian) are proposed on the PV cell surface by adjusting the heat transfer arrangement for the PV cell cooling duct in the PV/T module. Compared with the uniform temperature profile, the multi-Gaussian temperature profile PV cell efficiency increased by 1.292%; the single-Gaussian temperature profile PV cell efficiency decreased by 4.308%. The results show that for PV cells in the PV/T module, different temperature profiles lead to great differences in electrical performance, and a nonuniform temperature profile can be set to improve their electrical performance. •Four temperature profiles formed by four cooling ducts of PV cells were studied.•The efficiency of PV cell was increased by 1.292% compared to uniform temperature.•The PV cell efficiency varies greatly under different non-uniform temperatures.