Experimental Evaluation of a Photovoltaic/Thermal Air Heater with Metal Mesh-Integrated Thermal Energy Storage System

The objective of this study is to improve the performance a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) air heater incorporating thermal energy storage system (TESS) that uses paraffin and has metallic mesh layers. In experimental part research, three different pilot-scale PV/Ts have been designed, manufactured, experimentally investigated. first was structured as conventional PV/T, while second (PVT/TESS) modified with paraffin-based TESS. efficiency PV/T improved by integrating layers (PV/T-MTESS). PV/T-MTESS compared two other systems under same weather conditions flow rate. results experiment demonstrated integration into TESS led substantial improvements in system’s electrical performance, well its overall exergy efficiency. were 33.17%, 14.82%, 58.15%, respectively, when unaltered (conventional) setup. Moreover, an enviro-economic analysis performed on developed tested PV/Ts. Using only layer-added reduced payback time 2.54% 9.85%, respectively. annual carbon dioxide saving from 0.079 tons/year 0.103 using layer-integrated heater.