Design of a Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal System in Lebanon

Due to global warming and the high toxic gas emissions of traditional power generation methods, renewable energy has become a very active topic in many applications. This study focuses on one versatile type of solar energy: Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal System (hybrid PV/T). Hybrid PV/T combines both PV and thermal application and by doing this the efficiency of the system will increase by taking advantage of the temperature loss from PV module. The solar radiation and heat will be harnessed to deliver electricity and hot water simultaneously. In the present study a solar system is designed to recycle the heat and improve the temperature loss from PV module in order to supply both electricity and domestic hot water. The project was tested twice in Zouk Mosbeh - Lebanon; on May 18, 2016, and June 7, 2016. The average electrical efficiency was around 11.5% with an average electrical power output of 174.22 W, while with cooling, the average electrical efficiency reaches 11% with a power output of 200 W. The temperature increases by about 7 degrees Celsius from the inlet. The 1D conduction model is also performed in order to design the hybrid PV/T system.