Experimental Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic Thermal Collector with Optimized Fins and Baffles for Enhanced Electrical and Thermal Efficiency

Experimental research was conducted to assess the performance level of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector which integrated with three types of obstacle fins and baffles when operated at air mass flow rates of 0.0082 kg/s and 0.0115 kg/s. The research took place during May 2024 at Chennai, India to measure electrical efficiency, electrical-thermal efficiency, panel surface temperature and solar radiation under real-time conditions. The research findings show that obstacle 3 containing fins together with baffles delivered an electrical efficiency rate of 13.8% at a mass flow rate of 0.0115 kg/s and reached 12.9% at 0.0082 kg/s. The air flow modification method used on obstacle 1 explaining its inferior performance since it lacked both fins and baffles. Adjusting the mass flow rate between 0.0082 kg/s and 0.0115 kg/s resulted in electrical-thermal efficiency reaching its maximum values of 38.7% and 35.7% respectively. The solar irradiation levels reached their peak during midday at 258 W/m2 to 1098 W/m2 and the photovoltaic panel temperatures spanned between 30 °C and 42 °C. The research reveals that obstacle 3 performs as the best design because its integration of fins and baffles improves both electrical output and heat transfer capabilities.