Performance assessment of double pass photovoltaic/thermal solar air collector using bifacial PV with CPC and mirror reflector under Malaysian climate

The performance of photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) type solar collectors can be optimised with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panel since it can utilise the absorbed incident solar irradiance from its front and rear surface. However, its potential is highly determined by the amount of the reflected solar irradiance onto the rear surface of the panel. In this research, we assessed the potential of a novel double pass photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar air collector using semi-transparent bifacial PV panel with compound parabolic concentrator and mirror reflector in Malaysia. The use of CPC and reflector was introduced to increase the amount of reflected light and hence increasing the efficiency of the collector. A mathematical model was developed, and validated o predict the performance of the solar collector. Using the validated mathematical model, the optimum mass flow rate of the bifacial PV/T collector with CPC and mirror reflector was found at 0.0589 kg/s. At this flow rate, when operated under the hot climate of Malaysia, the temperature output of as high as 51 °C is achievable implying its potential as a preheated air to regenerate desiccant materials in solar assisted cooling system and for agriculture drying application. Also, when compared with the bifacial PV/T solar collector without the CPC, the total energy useful was found almost 40% higher.