Use of PV/T panels to meet the building loads of light commercialized buildings

This thesis deals with the analysis of a Photo Voltaic Thermal (PV/T) panel that is capable of producing simultaneously electric power and low-grade heat energy by absorbing the solar energy striking on its surface. A simple mathematical model is developed to estimate the electric power and heat energy gained by the PV/T panel. A water-to-water heat pump is employed that operates by absorbing the low-grade heat energy obtained from PV/T panel, in its evaporator, in order to produce high temperature hot water in its condenser. The high temperature hot water thus produced can be employed to meet the winter heating and summer cooling of the associated building loads. The heat energy gained from the condenser at high temperature can be sufficient to power the absorption chiller. Based on the results of the computer simulations using hourly weather data, it is found that the proposed system is very effective in meeting the building loads and the estimated value of the payback period (4.62 years) is encouraging for future testing and eventual commercialization, for the similar buildings subjected to weather patterns in the Chattanooga, region. Use of desiccant wheel in combination with heat wheel and evaporative coolers may have a significant impact on the size of the panels and the total economic costs of the system