Investigations of Solar Photovoltaic Thermal System Using Liquid as Spectrum Filter

A Solar Photovoltaic Cell converts solar radiation into electricity, with solar radiation encompassing Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared rays. Conventional C-Si Photovoltaic Cells utilize only the Visible and a portion of the Infrared spectrum, while the remaining spectrum converts into heat, diminishing cell efficiency. To enhance efficiency and recover heat, the Beam Split Photovoltaic Thermal System (BSPVT) concept is introduced. A specialized transparent liquid act as a spectrum filter, allowing only desired wavelengths for electricity generation. Unfiltered spectrum is absorbed by the liquid, raising its temperature. This system simultaneously generates electrical and thermal energy in the same area. Experimental results demonstrate an electrical efficiency increase from 11.33% to 12.36% with the spectrum filter, a 1.025% improvement. The maximum temperature reduction on the PV cell's front surface with the filter is 24.2°C. Thermal efficiency reaches 78.302%, resulting in an impressive overall system efficiency of approximately 89.816%.