Title: Fluid based solar spectral beam splitters for hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems: a review

Authors: Pushparaj R. Jiwanapurkar; Hitesh A. Bhargav; Bharat Ramani

Addresses: Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India ' Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya (Engineering College), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat 388120, India ' Shri Labhubhai Trivedi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kankot, Near Government Engineering College, Kalawad Road, Rajkot, Gujarat – 360005, India

Abstract: Spectral beam splitting (SBS) is a photovoltaic thermal technology that offers conversion of the complete solar spectrum incident on earth surface into useful energy with maximum efficiency. The efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal system can be increased by separating the responsive range of PV cell from the solar spectrum by SBS technique and utilising both wavelengths range separately for photovoltaic and thermal conversion. A review of development of a fluid-based SBS filter with help of organic fluids, and nanofluids in the last decade have been reported in this article. Varieties of pure fluids and nanofluids tested as SBS filters have been discussed. Organic fluids like water, coconut oil and silicon oil were identified as potential fluids for filtering of solar spectrum, 79% thermal and 14% electrical efficiency was estimated mathematically. Highest overall efficiencies of PVT system using fluid-based SBS filter was found out to be 56% and 62% with C-Si and GaAs solar cells respectively using gold (Au) nanofluid. The cost of nanofluids needs to be justified with an increase in the system's overall efficiency. An ideal SBS filter transmitting only the responsive wavelength range of the PV cell has to be developed for commercialisation of SBS PVT system.

Keywords: solar energy; solar spectrum; photovoltaic thermal hybrid; spectral beam splitting; SBS; nanofluids.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2023.132982

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2023 Vol.14 No.3, pp.241 - 258

Received: 09 Jun 2022
Accepted: 24 Dec 2022
Published online: 22 Aug 2023 *

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