Energy metrics assessment of a photovoltaic thermal air collector (PVTAC): a comparison between flat and wavy collector

In this paper, the performances of two different configurations of the PVT air collector (PVTAC) were studied and compared with respect to three energy matrices: energy payback time, electricity production factor, and life-cycle conversion efficiency. Geometrically, both configurations are similar except one equipped with a flat plate collector (PVTACF) and other with a wavy plate collector (PVTACW). An experimental investigation was performed for both the models, located at Silchar (Latitude: 24.8333° N and Longitude: 92.7789° E) over a period of 1 year (May 2017 to April 2018). Initially, airflow velocity was varied between 1–3 m/s and ideal airflow velocity (2.5 m/s) was identified. The yearly energetic and exergetic performance was studied and presented. The overall annual energy and exergy of the PVTACW were achieved by 8.2% and 2.3% higher than the PVTACF. The energy payback time, electricity production factor, and life-cycle conversion efficiency of the PVTACW were also achieved better than the PVTACF. The study provides useful information on the energetic performance and environmental impact of the PVTAC system under North-East Indian climatic conditions.