MEASUREMENTS AND BENCHMARK OF PV-T COLLECTORS ACCORDING TO EN12975 AND DEVELOPMENT OF A STANDARDIZED MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE

Hybrid Photovoltaic-thermal-collectors (PV-T) may have a number of advantages compared to stand-alone PV or solar-thermal-collectors. To mention one of them for example the overall efficiency of a PV-T-system is higher than the efficiency of the individual systems [1]. Recently, there have been efforts by the “European Solar Keymark Network ” and also in national organizations to standardize PV-T collector measurements and make it possible to assign a “Solar Keymark”. That would be a great benefit for PV-T collectors and subsidiary for a successful implementation in the market. Fraunhofer ISE runs an accredited laboratory for solar thermal components (TestLab Solar Thermal Systems) and also an accredited test centre for PV modules (TestLab PV Modules) and is able to combine both strengths to measure uncovered PV-T collectors and covered PV-T collectors properly. Based on the testing facilities for solar air-collectors, PV-T air-collectors can be tested as well. Recently even Concentrated PV-T collectors are in the process of getting characterised. By testing several PV-T collectors Fraunhofer ISE has created special know-how for measuring different PV-T collectors and developed an automated procedure for efficiency tests. In this paper, the interest in the standardization of measurements of a PV-T collector is discussed, and different measurement procedures are shown. It illustrates possible testing methods for different collectors, testing procedures and results from tests already performed. 1