Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors, aka hybrid PV/T systems or PVT, are systems that convert solar radiation into thermal and electrical energy. A thermal loop has been installed to measure thermal efficiency of PVT panels.
Measurements of temperature, mass flow and pressure allows to establish the thermal power recovered and corresponding auxiliary consumptions.
Operating conditions of the fluid inside the panels (i.e. flowrate and temperature) can be set by Labview interface, so that a wide range of operating conditions can be evaluated. PVT panels performances are expressed also by thermal power output and cooling flow temperatures.
Innovative PVT concepts are currently tested.
Below, the lay-out of the themal loop and examples of results