Performance analysis of a novel hybrid electrical generation system using photovoltaic/thermal and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle

A combination of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycle (TREC) is an effective and promising method to improve the electricity generation efficiency of solar energy by converting the low-grade heat from the hot water of PV/T into electricity. The concept and mathematic model of the hybrid PV/T-TREC system are constructed based on the working principle and characteristics of PV/T and TREC. A parametric analysis (ambient temperature, solar radiation, water mass flow rate, water inlet temperature) and a comparative study of PV, PV/T, PV/T-TREC systems are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the novel system. The results show that the performance of the hybrid PV/T-TREC system is better than PV and PV/T modules in the majority of working conditions. The electrical efficiency of the PV/T-TREC system is 0.92% and 0.35% higher than the single PV/T and PV modules on average as ambient temperature changes. The heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the PV/T-TREC system tends to decrease, increase, decrease, increase first and then decrease as factors of ambient temperature, solar radiation, water mass flow rate, water inlet temperature increase respectively. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.