On the performance of concentrating fluid-based spectral-splitting hybrid PV-thermal (PV-T) solar collectors

Concentrating fluid-based spectral-splitting hybrid PV-thermal (SSPVT) collectors are capable of high electrical and thermal efficiencies, as well high-temperature outputs. However, the optimal optical filter maximum potential such remain unclear. In this study, we develop a comprehensive two-dimensional model SSPVT collector. The temperature distributions reveal that these designs effective in thermally decoupling PV module from flow-channel, improving performance module. For Si solar cell-based collector with #Si400-1100, channel is able to produce energy (400 °C) an efficiency 19.5%, low-temperature (70 49.5%, electricity 17.5%. Of note relative fraction energy, generated by can be adjusted shifting upper- lower-bound cut-off wavelengths filter, which found strongly affect spectral through upper-bound always equals bandgap wavelength cell material (e.g., 1100 nm for Si, 850 CdTe), while follows more complex selection criteria. has significantly higher total than equivalent conventional solar-thermal when value heat lower 0.5. Detailed guidance selecting filters their role controlling under different conditions provided.