Review on recent approaches for hybrid PV/T solar technology

This paper reviews the recent hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) structural/geometrical topologies to highlight the state of the art on this form of collector approaches and designs for both liquid and air-based systems. The review focuses on the development of the typical flat-plate collector – as an essential part in the PV/T system – in terms of new concept and novel configurations and specifically on the design of these collectors that use air or liquid as a heat transfer medium and their ability to extract useful heat from the back surface of the PV panel. Different mechanisms of fluid flow either natural or forced are considered. Many different design configurations for hybrid PV/T collectors have been cataloged and evaluated. It is shown that at least 30 distinct configurations have been introduced in the literature in the last 5 years. The paper concludes with identifying the major factors that affect the performance of typical PV/T systems and lead to effective enhancement of the heat removal mechanisms thus improving the electrical and thermal solar conversion efficiencies. This paper should serve as a significant form of reference for any future development in the design of the PV/T concept.