Potential of Façade-Integrated PVT With Radiant Heating and Cooling Panel Supported by a Thermal Storage for Temperature Stability and Energy Efficiency

Abstract

Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) systems combine electric and thermal energy generation and provide noiseless operation and space-saving features. As the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels increases at low surface temperatures, this paper suggests combining the PVT panel with a radiant cooling and heating panel in one system. A thermal storage tank fluidly connects the heat-exchanging pipes at the back of the PVT system and radiant panel. The upper portion of the tank feeds the radiant panel and the lower portion of the tank is connected to the PVT system. The proposed device is expected to function in connection with a heat pump that feeds the thermal storage. Using the dynamic thermal simulation software Polysun, the performance of the proposed façade-integrated device was investigated while considering the surface temperatures and energy production in the moderate climatic condition of the city of Munich. The results indicate a substantial impact on the efficiency of the PV module with an increase of up to 35% in the electricity production of the PV due to the lowered surface temperature. The obtained results contribute to façade-supported cooling/heating and electricity generation through the novel coupling and integration of PV, PVT, and radiant cooling elements.