Development and performance test of a low-cost hybrid solar air heater

• Published in: International journal of ambient energy Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 40 - 48
• Main Authors: Masud, M. H., Ahamed, Raju, Mourshed, M., Hossan, M. Y., Hossain, M. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 02.01.2019
• Subjects: fin; mass flow rate; photovoltaic; Solar air heater (SAH)
• ISSN: 0143-0750; 2162-8246
• DOI: 10.1080/01430750.2017.1360202

A hybrid energy system named as SAH embraces the features of solar and thermal devices to generate electrical and thermal energies simultaneously. Recently, some SAH has developed with higher efficiency but less feasible to the developing countries due to higher installation cost. Here, a cheaper SAH with more capability of utilising the solar energy and enhanced efficiency by incorporating fin with the SAH has developed. SAH performances have been analysed experimentally by varying the air mass flow rate from 0.0132 to 0.02166 kg/s for the both fin and without fin attached condition. During mass flow rate of 0.02166 kg/s, maximum efficiency for the collector, photovoltaic cell and the overall efficiency of the system has been recorded as 34.25%, 6.48%, and 35.26% with fin and 28.07%, 4.10%, and 29.37% without fin, respectively. This study would assist the researcher for further improvement of the SAH and guide the consumer to select the appropriate SAH.