Effect of solar photovoltaic and various photovoltaic air thermal systems on hydrogen generation by water electrolysis

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 3211 - 3223
• Main Authors: Chandrasekar, M, Gopal, P, Ramesh Kumar, C, Edwin Geo, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2022
• Subjects: Fins; Heat transfer; Hydrogen; Solar PV; Fins; Hydrogen; Solar PV; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.04.205

A novel photovoltaic thermal air (PVTa) system with semi length fins in the downstream portion of the air channel was tested experimentally for its performance capability for the generation of hydrogen in the present work. Fins are passive devices used to overcome the main detrimental effect of reduced power output due to photovoltaic panel heating. For this purpose, 2 semi length fin configurations namely longitudinal fin and wavy fin were placed in second half length of the channel in the direction of air flow. To compare the impact of PVTa systems with semi lengthened fins in hydrogen generation, the performance study of PV and PVTa system assisted hydrogen generation were also conducted. The experiments were conducted at the site of Tiruchirappalli district, Tamilnadu state, India having latitude and longitude of 10.82 and 78.70 respectively during March–June 2019 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on clear and sunny days. The results indicated PVTa system with semi length wavy fins yielded maximum generation of hydrogen among the 4 cases of PV assisted hydrogen generation techniques considered. It was observed that downstream located longitudinal and wavy fins provided enhanced PV panel cooling which increased the current supply to the electrolyzer unit. The hydrogen generation rate was 13.5, 12.1, 9.5 and 7.8 ml/min for PVT with wavy fins, longitudinal fins, PVT and PV respectively. Keywords: Solar PV, fins, hydrogen, heat transfer. •The effect of semi length fins in the downstream portion of the PVT air channel for hydrogen generation was reported.•Hydrogen generation rates with downstream sided longitudinal and wavy fin profiles were examined.•Electrical and thermal energy outputs of PV, PVT without fin and PVT with fins were also reported.•Energy and exergy performance of the system components were presented.