Report for project A1017-101on hybrid solar PV thermal (PVT) system using a tracking solar trough I

• Main Author: Cheung, Wai Kin.
• Other Authors: Choo Fook Hoong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electric power::Production, transmission and distribution
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45860
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report is an attempt to illustrate the author‘s experience in constructing a functioning prototype of a Hybrid Solar Sun Trough and present the results and findings through the studies conducted using the prototype. The project team conducted several studies with regards to the above mentioned application and one of them is on the possible increase of power output by applying a Hybrid Solar Sun Trough with a simple sun tracking mechanism on a strip of solar module that is made up of 9 mono-crystalline, back contacted silicon cells rated 29.7W as compared to its output in a stationary horizontal position. The result were reasonably conclusive as the module harnesses an excess of 10Watts when the Hybrid Solar Sun Trough is applied as compared to the stationary horizontal position. The module was also noted to record outputs that outperform its rated power. The maximum power output at one point was 35.04W. With the knowledge gained from the literature review on the possible heat effects on the cell, and understanding that converging heat on the focal area of the trough is and inevitable by-product, the project implemented a cooling system to mitigate this factor. A simple verification study on the effects of heat on the cell output was therefore performed in conjunction with an investigation on the possibility of harnessing of warm water from the output of the cooling system for domestic purposes to maximise the potential of the application. The findings on the 2 above mentioned studies appeared that at this level of convergence of sunlight, the heat effects is not pronounced when applied with a cooling system running at 0.448l/min & 0.938l/min respectively. It is also witnessed that the temperature behind the cell with cooling at 0.448 l/min reached 63.7°C, while the water harnessed from the cooling system output reach 57.5°C which is comparable to water temperature in the hot spring. The scopes and objectives of the project was therefore declared fulfilled however several recommendation were raised through the observations by the author to suggest further improvement on the studies.