Comparative Thermal and Electrical Performance Analysis of PV/T Collectors with Different Finned Absorber Configurations

This study investigates and compares the thermal and electrical performance of three photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar collectors with different absorber plate geometries. A standard flat-plate PV/T panel serves as the baseline, while two enhanced designs incorporate aluminium finned absorbers (with 112 and 229 fins) beneath the PV cells to increase surface area for heat dissipation via water cooling. Performance was evaluated through both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and outdoor experimental testing. Both simulated and measured results confirmed that absorber plate designs affect the efficiency of PV/T systems. The prototype featuring 229 fins delivered better thermal performance and lower PV cell operating temperatures, resulting in improved electrical output. The 112-fin variant demonstrated intermediate performance in both aspects, balancing manufacturability and effectiveness. Sustainability implications were also evaluated, with the 229-fin configuration showing a 24.48% increase in CO2 reduction potential compared to the standard design, offering a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation. These findings underscore the potential of finned PV/T systems in enhancing both energy efficiency and environmental benefits, making them a promising option for large-scale renewable energy applications.