Journal of Solar Energy Research Updates

Articles

Vol. 12 (2025)

Numerical Simulation and Performance Analysis of a Water-Based Photovoltaic/Thermal (PVT) Collector Using Simulink Environment

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31875/
Submitted
December 5, 2025
Published
2025-12-21

Abstract

The hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collector is an innovative technology that exploits solar energy to simultaneously generate electricity and heat. It thus optimizes the use of the surface exposed to sunlight by maximizing total energy production, offering a higher overall efficiency compared to standard thermal collectors or separately installed photovoltaic panels. In this research, a “sheet and tube” type water-based PVT collector was studied numerically. The main objective is to develop and analyze a hybrid PVT collector to optimize its overall efficiency. A mathematical model was developed for each component of the PVT collector (glass cover, PV module, absorber plate, tube, fluid, and insulation). Subsequently, the Hottel-Whillier thermal model was implemented and simulated in the Simulink/Matlab environment to study the collector’s performance. Furthermore, the effects of mass flow rate, number of glazings, inlet fluid temperature, and the heat transfer coefficient between the absorber plate and the PV module, among other operating parameters, were analyzed to identify their influence on electrical and thermal performance. A comparative analysis between PV and PVT collectors was conducted, and annual thermal and electrical energy productions were evaluated to assess the overall performance of each system.

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