Enhancing Electrical Efficiency of Photovoltaic Thermal Collectors Through Nanofluids

The study aimed to examine the electrical efficiency of a rectangular spiral flow heat collector in an indoor setting, comparing water and silica nanofluids as cooling mediums. The experiment involved using silica nanofluids and water at ratios of 0.5 and 1.5 vol.% with varying coolant velocities and solar radiations. The findings revealed that silica/water nanofluids with high fluid concentration ratios and temperatures had higher thermal conductivity values. Additionally, using a 1.5 vol.% silica/water nanofluid as a cooling medium improved the electrical efficiency of the photovoltaic thermal collector more than water or 0.5 vol.% silica/water nanofluids. The highest electrical efficiency of 9.47% was achieved using 1.5 vol.% silica/water at a highest flow rate and 650 W/m2 of solar radiation.