Numerical simulation and experimental validation of a photovoltaic/thermal system based on a roll-bond aluminum collector

In this paper, the performance of a polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic module and photovoltaic/thermal module are experimentally investigated under outdoor conditions, using a roll-bond thermal collector attached on the backside of the photovoltaic module. Furthermore, the temperature, pressure and velocity distributions across the photovoltaic/thermal module are simulated using a steady state thermal model. Compared with the photovoltaic module, the performances of photovoltaic/thermal module with and without the coolant circulation are both examined using a water volume of 100 L and a coolant mass flow rate of 0.034 kg/s. Using a design with a timed supplement water strategy, the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic/thermal system has been increased by 3.25%. Compared without supplement before, the electrical energy can be extra increased more than 1%. A good agreement is found between simulated and experimental results. There is no doubt that the output performance of the photovoltaic/thermal system can be improved effectively by the design of timed supplement water. •A novel design of PVT system using a roll-bond thermal collector was investigated.•A good agreement presents between numerical and experimental results.•The electrical, thermal and exergy efficiencies of the PVT system were 13.67%, 40.56% and 15.56%.•The electrical energy can be increased by 3.25% via a timed supplement water strategy.