Design and performance evaluation of a novel CPV-T system using nano-fluid spectrum filter and with high solar concentrating uniformity

A novel solar concentrated PV-thermal (CPV-T) system using nano-fluid spectrum filter (NSF) and with high solar concentrating uniformity is proposed in this study. The indium tin oxide/ethylene glycol (ITO/EG) nano-fluid used in the CPV-T system is experimentally prepared and tested. The results indicate that the average trans-mission and absorption rates of the NSF are 69.1% and 30.9%. The optical estimate results of the CPV-T system reveal a relatively high solar concentrating uniformity. The solar tracking deviation evaluation results show that when the north-south tracking deviation is less than 0.3 degrees, the optical efficiency of the CPV-T system can be greater than 0.834. The thermodynamic estimate results show that the maximum output power and photoelectric efficiency of the PV module are 1769.9 W and 30.3%. The thermal and exergy efficiencies of the CPV-T system are 19.4% and 16.7%. The thermal efficiency of the CPV-T system can be improved by increasing the inlet nano -fluid flow rate and environmental temperature or by decreasing the inlet nano-fluid temperature and convec-tional heat transfer coefficient (CHTC). The system exergy efficiency will be improved with the increase of the inlet nano-fluid flow rate or with the decreases of the inlet nano-fluid temperature, environmental temperature and CHTC.