A review on photovoltaic thermal collectors

The content of this review consists of the types and the parameters influencing the performance (electrical and thermal) and also covers the numerical, analytical, and experimental models of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors. The PVT systems using air and water as heat extraction agents were discussed. The parameters affecting the PVT performance such as the glazing, mass flow rate, and influence of absorber and design types were discussed in details. From the exergy analysis, it was found that the unglazed collector gives better total (electrical+thermal) exergy, whereas the energy analysis favors the glazed collectors. From the literature review, it is obvious that the PVT systems are very useful in the future. There are no substantial initiatives taken in order to reduce the cost and to make PVT collectors favorable. Increasing the competitiveness of PVT collectors will enhance the utilization of renewable energy devices. This communication was done to ease future studies to be conducted by researchers. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3266963]