Energy matrices, life cycle cost, carbon mitigation and credits of open-loop N concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) collector at cold climate in India: A comparative study

Abstract

Abstract Present communication undertook a comparative study of partially covered (covered by glass to glass PV module) N number of low concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) collector connected in series for Srinagar, India (cold climate condition) by considering two fluids or cases: case (i) [water as a fluid] and case (ii) [air as a fluid]. Mass flow rate (constant) and number of collector for desired maximum outlet temperature have been optimized at m f = 0.005\u202fkg/s and N\u202f=\u202f10, respectively. Annual electrical gain, overall thermal energy and exergy of proposed system have been calculated as 49.01\u202fkWh, 1087.33\u202fkWh and 214.37\u202fkWh for [case (i)] respectively for a typical day (clear day condition) throughout in the year which have been found as 1.04, 2.75 and 2.14 times higher than for case (ii). Life cycle cost analysis or exergy cost per\u202fkWh for case (i) has also been calculated as 20\u202fRs/kWh, 33\u202fRs/kWh and 57\u202fRs/kWh for interest rate 2%, 5% and 10%, respectively, if proposed system has 30\u202fyears of life cycle. Carbon credits for case (i) have been found as 12781.82\u202fRs/tCO2e on overall exergy basis which is 2.14 times higher than for case (ii) for life cycle of proposed system. Energy payback time has been obtained 9.81\u202fyears for present system in case of water as fluid.