Experimental analysis of a photovoltaic thermal collector using phase change materials and copper oxide nanofluid

This study seeks to maximize the benefits of solar cell systems by increasing electrical energy in addition to thermal storage for home heating via a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system. RT35 paraffin wax (PCM) and water are used as heat storage media, with nanofluids serving as the working fluid. The impact of nanofluids (CuOwater) on the electrical and thermal performance of the PVT/encapsulated PCM balls system was studied experimentally. First, water PVT and PCM/PVT collectors are tested at pure water flow rates of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 l/ min. The effect of adding CuO nanoparticles to water with a different weight concentration of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 % on the performance of the nanofluid PCM/PVT system at a constant flow rate of 1.5 l/min was then investigated. The results demonstrated the CuO nanofluid PCM/PVT collectors superior cooling effectiveness when compared to water PVT and PVT/PCM systems, with best performance achieved at a CuO concentration of 0.3 % by weight and a flow rate of 1.5 l/min. At best performance, the nanofluid-PVT/PCM system can achieve an overall energy conversion efficiency of 82.1 %, as the solar cell surface temperature decreases on average by 8.7 % and 3.6 %, while electrical efficiency improves on average by 37.7 % and 13.3 % when compared to uncooled PV and pure water PCM/PVT collectors, respectively.