Analysis of experimental test results of a mobile photovoltaic-thermal device

Abstract

Relevance: in recent years, rapid population growth has significantly increased the demand for energy devices utilizing renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. Currently, fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources are rapidly depleting due to high energy consumption. Furthermore, the excessive use of primary energy sources has led to serious environmental damages, including climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and more. Therefore, finding long-term energy sources is one of the main challenges for scientists worldwide.

Solar energy technologies offer a convenient way to rationally utilize alternative energy sources in heating systems, air conditioning, and electricity generation. Today, solar energy is one of the most important and renewable energy sources and one of the most effective types of its utilization. Photovoltaic solar devices stand out from traditional energy sources due to their reliability, stability, and portability. These devices are rapidly being implemented in many areas; while they can be integrated into traditional energy grids in some regions, their use is more suitable in decentralized areas where traditional energy grids are unavailable.

Aim: development, testing, and analysis of experimental results of a mobile photovoltaic-thermal device designed for energy consumers located far from centralized energy supply, equipped with an autonomous energy supply system, and simultaneously providing both electricity and hot water.

Methods: the research work, based on experimental data, relies on data obtained from testing a water-based module surface cooling system in a mobile photovoltaic-thermal device.

Results: It has been experimentally determined that the guaranteed supply of electricity and hot water to populations and social facilities located far from the main power supply can be achieved through a mobile photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) device. Based on the fact that the efficiency of a solar-powered PV-T device primarily depends on the intensity of incident solar radiation and is inversely proportional to the operating temperature of the solar cells, an increase in the power output of the module was achieved by applying water-based cooling technology.