Long-Term Investigation of Hybrid System for Building Integration: PTC-Based Heating System and Power Generation (CPV/T)

In this chapter, a long-term investigation of a hybrid system for building an integration that incorporates a Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPV/T) solar collector is reported. The system comprises a Parabolic Trough Concentrator (PTC) with a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal collector. A simulation study of the proposed system layout, including all necessary components, was carried out using TRNSYS to evaluate the system’s feasibility and validity, particularly for low-temperature applications. The system tracks the sun from east to west using a single-axis tracking system under actual weather conditions. Simulation findings revealed that the solar fraction remains notably high throughout the year for the operational setup taken into account in this work. Thus, during summer, it covers nearly all of the needs. Nevertheless, a supplementary system is necessary during chilly periods. In summer, the tank temperature was about 92 °C, and the system sustained a heated slab temperature of about 28 °C. Throughout the year, the system’s electrical, thermal, and total efficiency reaches a maximum of about 9, 40 and 47%, respectively.