Investigation of the lumber drying process using air-cooled PVT panels under isparta province conditions

In this thesis, the applicability of an air-cooled photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) system for the lumber drying process was investigated under the climatic conditions of Isparta, focusing on energy efficiency and practical feasibility. The study was conducted based on a system consisting of 200 photovoltaic panels, each rated at 455 W, installed on the roof of a lumber factory located in the Isparta Industrial Zone. According to real field data, the system's annual electricity generation was determined as 141 757 kWh. Theoretical analyses showed that converting the existing PV system into a PVT configuration could increase electricity generation by approximately 4% on an annual basis and up to 5% during the summer months. The thermal energy recovered from the PVT system is obtained through the cooling air flowing behind the panel and can be utilized for preheating the drying air. However, the amount of thermal energy produced is not sufficient to meet the full energy demand of the lumber drying kiln. Therefore, the system can be evaluated not as a primary heat source but as a supportive energy component within a hybrid structure. Such use has been found to reduce fossil fuel consumption and lower overall drying costs. The analyses revealed that PVT-based systems provide higher electrical performance than conventional PV systems under the climatic conditions of Isparta and can be effectively applied as a renewable and auxiliary energy source in lumber drying processes.