Masters Theses

Abstract

"Three different prototype photovoltaic-thermal panels using water as the cooling fluid were tested simultaneously. The first two panels (Panel A and B) consisted of a highly conductive thermal sheeting and different sized copper tubing. The third panel (Panel C) consisted of copper tubing with an aluminum fin. Thermal images were used to verify the heat transfer across the panels and compare the amount of heat radiating off the back of the photovoltaic-thermal panels versus the standard photovoltaic paneleaf Three A type panels were thermally connected in series. Three photovoltaic panels were also tested for an electrical comparison. The purpose of this experiment was to create a modular photovoltaic-thermal panel, which would be easily implemented and maintained by the average consumer A TRNSYS model was created for both setups to gather year-round efficiency approximates.

The thermal efficiencies of photovoltaic-thermal panels A, B and C at 0.5 gallon per minute (gpm) were 33.6%, 26.4% and 28. 7%, respectively. The overall thermal efficiencies of photovoltaic-thermal panels A1-3 in series at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 gpm were 51.0%, 40.3% and 59.2%, respectively, and electrical efficiencies of 11.6% for 0.5 gpm and 11.2% for 1.0 and 1.5 gpm. Panels A1-3 at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 gpm had thermal gain plus electrical output equivalents of 931.9, 1281.2 and 1496.8 watts, respectively. Overall, the individual panels in series were modeled more accurately then the models for the entire system. The modeling precision also increased as the fluid flow rate increased but the electrical models were the least representative of the experimental data"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Baur, Stuart Werner, 1965-

Committee Member(s)

Volz, Jeffery S.
Homan, Kelly
Grantham Lough, Katie, 1979-

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Missouri Office of Administration Division of Facilities Management, Design, and Construction

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2010

Pagination

xii, 183 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 180-182).

Rights

© 2010 Nicole C. Annis, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Photovoltaic cells -- TestingSolar cells -- Design

Thesis Number

T 9665

Print OCLC #

690626177

Electronic OCLC #

911037296

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