Field experiments and analyses on a hybrid solar collector

This paper describes the effectiveness of a hybrid solar collector that generates both electric power and heat. Experiments and analyses were conducted on power and heat generation characteristics of the hybrid solar collector. First, experiments under constant supply temperature of brine were made and it was found that conversion efficiency ranged from 10% to 13%, and that collector efficiencies at 20 and 40 degreesC brine temperature were from 40% to 50% and approximately 20%, respectively. Second, the efficiency of the hybrid solar collector was compared to those of a photovoltaic and a solar collector and it was clarified that the hybrid collector had an advantage in terms of exergy efficiency, though there is some lowering of collector efficiency. Evaluation of annual energy balance of hybrid solar collectors installed on a low energy house at Hokkaido University proved the hybrid solar collectors to have a high degree of feasibility. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.