Techno-economic simulation of thermal and electricity yield from solar: A case study

The aim of this research is optimizing and simulating a system with an integrated or separated photovoltaic and thermal hybrid systems for the consumer who needs both electricity and hot water. Appropriate location and applicability to Turkey is evaluated with analyzing simulated results. Moreover, the effects of main parameters of these systems, which are temperature and irradiation, to simulation and optimization are also studied. For this evaluation, simulation softwares and related articles are also analyzed in the scope of literature searching and PVSYST is chosen to benefit from. Then, mathematical models of these hybrid systems are developed and parameters are defined. Software is developed for the calculation of simulation in Excel and with using this software example scenarios are simulated. In addition, effects of the parameters to the performances of these systems are also analyzed. As a result, it is determined that income of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) hybrid systems are more than separated hybrid systems for limited area. The integrated hybrid systems cover less area and investment cost is less than separated hybrid systems in terms of providing needs. It is resulted that return of investment is less in integrated hybrids systems due to more income and more meeting needs. In addition, when the efficiency of the systems are taken into account, it is observed that PV/T system in which thermal income is fixed has the maximum efficiency of 88,9%. Furthermore, for the optimum locations where FV/T is constructed are Mut, Silifke, Gulnar districts of Mersin and center of Van according to the different incomes.