Performance analysis of high concentration Photovoltaic/Membrane distillation hybrid system

•Hybrid system was studied numerically to produce freshwater and electricity.•Four different configurations were studied to reduce the temperature of the solar cell.•L-shape configuration has better cooling performance in cooling the HCPV system.•A simulation for a full solar module (21 cells) was performed.•The hybrid system can produce up to 540 W with permeate flux of 72.96 kg/m2.day. The rising demand for electricity and fresh water in remote regions has sparked a quest for innovative and sustainable solutions. This study delves into cooling a module with multi-junction high concentrator PV cells by integrating a heat exchanger and a direct contact membrane distillation unit (DCMD). The goal is to investigate the synergy between electricity and freshwater generation through numerical simulations. Among the four cooling configurations tested−straight rectangular and square microchannels, U-shape, and L-shape, the L-shape design proved the most effective, requiring minimal pumping power while yielding the highest electrical power generation compared to others. Consequently, the L-shape configuration was selected to cool a solar module housing 21 solar cells. Different coolant flow rates and solar concentration ratios (CRs) were examined. A mathematical model was developed to analyze the DCMD process, factoring in various bulk feed temperatures and feed water rates. Findings from the hybrid system indicated that operating at CRs below 250 was impractical due to low coolant water outlet temperatures. However, at a CR of 750, the optimal operating range ranged from 250 g/min to 450 g/min, resulting in a peak electrical power of 417.66 W and maximum permeate mass flux of 47.1 kg/m2.day. At a CR of 1000, the system achieved a maximum electrical output of 540 W with a permeate mass flux of 72.96 kg/m2.day.