A lens-walled CPC PV/T module: modelling and testing of PV cells using MATLAB/Simulink

The hybrid photovoltaic and thermal (PV/T) system can utilize solar energy more effectively and has a higher total efficiency compared with an independent photovoltaic (PV) system or solar thermal system. The PV/T systems have attracted a great research interest in the past decade and there are numerous publications on the topic. Generally, there is a balance between the thermal efficiency and electrical efficiency of a PV/T system. With increased temperature of the PV/T module, the electrical performance of the PV will be lower. Researchers have established a simple formula correlating the PV efficiency and operation temperature. However, there is little research on the effect of temperature distribution on the PV performance particularly in a PV/T system. This has stimulated the present study aiming to develop a solar intensity-oriented PV model by taking the temperature distribution effects on the PV module into consideration. The proposed model takes the ambient temperature and PV module temperature distribution as inputs and use solar insolation as varying parameter, which gives more accurate analysis to the PV performance. The module temperature distribution is explicitly affected by both the solar insolation and cooling water flow rate. The output characteristics are simulated and analyzed using the proposed simulation model built in MATLAB/Simulink. The model may be further verified through an experiment, which is being prepared. The insolation-oriented PV/T model allows the dynamics of a PV/T system to be analyzed and optimized more easily by applying the temperature parameters and solar insolation level. In addition, it provides convenience to integrate with other component inclusive of power converter and MPPT control.