Optimization of the Electrical and Thermal Characteristics of a Hybrid PV/T System Based on CuO–ZnO Nanofluid
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This article discusses a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal PV/T system designed to simultaneously generate electrical and thermal energy using solar radiation. The main focus is on improving the system’s energy efficiency through the use of a CuO-ZnO-based hybrid nanofluid, which serves as the heat transfer fluid in the collector’s thermal circuit. The design of the PV/T module is presented, including a photovoltaic panel, a translucent thermal insulation coating, a chemically coated copper absorbent sheet, copper tubes for heat transfer fluid circulation, and a thermal insulation foundation. A measurement and control scheme is also described, providing monitoring of temperature, solar radiation, flow rate, pressure, voltage, and current. The calculated results show that with an increase in solar radiation from 420 to 980 W/m2, the overall efficiency of the PV/T system increases from 42.0% to 54.1%. A comparison of working fluids showed that the CuO-ZnO hybrid nanofluid provides the highest overall efficiency of 57.1%, whereas for water this value is 50.7%. The optimal nanoparticle concentration is 0.5%, at which the best balance between efficiency improvement and pressure drop increase is achieved. The results confirm the potential of using CuO-ZnO nanofluid and an automated control loop to enhance the electrical and thermal performance of hybrid PV/T systems.
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7224880175