Energy and CFD modeling of roof integrated photo-voltaic thermal systems

Soumya Anantharaman, Purdue University

Abstract

This Thesis investigates innovative methods to integrate actively cooled Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) systems into the sloped roofs of houses with the additional function of recovering thermal energy in addition to electricity generation. An open-loop PV/T system is considered with a typical Photovoltaic (PV) array on top of an inclined rectangular smooth or ribbed channel that corresponds to a real installation. 2-D steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed in FLUENT to develop dimensionless correlations for the convective heat transfer coefficient from the surfaces of the channel to the air for forced and mixed convection regimes, expressed as Nusselt number (Nu). A transient thermal network model for a PV/T system is developed in MATLAB using the developed correlations and it is validated with experimental data from a full-scale experimental set-up. The transient energy model is used to determine the air temperature at the outlet of the channel, the surface temperature of the PV panel and the energy output. Results indicate prediction of the outlet air temperature with better accuracy since the present work includes the effect of buoyancy in the air flow within the channel at a lower air velocity. The model can be used to assess and optimize the performance of different roof-integrated PV/T systems considering different PV technology and it can be incorporated into existing building energy simulation platforms to support the widespread adoption of these systems into building design.

Degree

M.S.C.E.

Advisors

Karava, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Alternative Energy|Architectural|Civil engineering|Mechanical engineering|Energy

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