Overview of Photovoltaic-Thermal Collector Cooling Technologies in Northern Latitudes

Abstract-The use of solar energy in buildings is a vastly developing field all over the world. Besides PV (Photovoltaic) and solar thermal technologies, a new emerging area- the use of PVT (Photovoltaic-Thermal) collectors in buildings is rapidly increasing. Since the roof top area in urban areas is limited, the most efficient concepts for cooling and heating the low energy buildings in northern latitudes must be found. PVT collectors have very good properties. E.g. production of electricity and heat takes place in the same square meter, which gives the advantage to save the roof top area. Additionally, cooling the PV cells and consequently using solar energy more efficiently, gives an advantage to PVT technology. In the current article an overview of possible solar cooling technologies is presented and a comparison of roof top area needed is given.