A Novel Concept of Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal, Heat Pipe, and Heat Pump Hybrid

A numerical prediction of a Novel Hybrid System Concept, composed of Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Panels and a Heat Pipe, is presented here. This model is presented to assess the performance and energy conversion process of the Hybrid System, as well as the individual efficiencies of this process to produce hot water and electricity. A Two-Dimensional Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Dynamic Model was developed and presented to describe the behavior of a Hybrid System under various Solar Irradiance Conditions, Heat Pipe Configurations, and Different Refrigerants. The model is based upon Dynamic Mass and Energy Equations coupled with the Heat Transfer Formulas, and Thermodynamic Properties of Refrigerants, as well as Thermal Material Properties of the PV solar panel and heat pipes. Finally, the presented model has been validated, and its predictions are in fair agreement with available data.