Hybrid photovoltaic/ thermal (PV/T) collectors can deliver both electricity and thermal energy with a greater combined efficiency than either technology alone. However, the thermal output of standard PV/T collectors is restricted to relatively low temperatures to prevent thermal degradation of the solar cell. This work reports the development of selectively absorbing nanofluids which de-couple the thermal and electrical components, thus enabling the PV/T system to achieve higher thermal efficiencies without damaging the PV cell. The nanofluids were composed of suspended core-shell silver-silica (Ag-SiO2) nanodiscs and carbon nanotubes in various concentrations to optimise the combined heat and electricity output according to the relative price of the two forms of energy.

Read more in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2016, 147, 281 - 287

Researchers: Natasha Hjerrild, Sara Mesgari, Felipe Crisostomo, Jason Scott, Rose Amal and Rob Taylor

Schematic of PV/T design using thermal fluid optical filter