JANUARY 2015
Photovoltaic-Thermal Hybrid Solar System

Photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) hybrid solar systems increase electricity production by cooling the PV panel and using the removed thermal energy to heat water. They use the same footprint as a standard PV system.

GPG and researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) assessed the nation’s first large-scale PV-T system installed at the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Federal Building in Boston, Massachusetts. It provided many lessons learned in system design. It also identified a target market of locations with high utility costs and electric hot water.

Download Findings

• 1-page infographic

• 4-page brief

• NREL full report

Additional Resources

• Guidance: On-Site Commercial Solar PV Decision Guide (DOE, September 2015)

• Tool: System Advisor Model for Grid-Connected Renewable Projects (NREL, April 2010)