Researchers have developed a novel solar energy system that integrates functions most households crave – cooling, hot water, and electricity – all powered by the sun. This innovative system, detailed in a recent study, promises efficiency and cost-effectiveness, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Harnessing the Sun’s Power: Multifunctional and Efficient

The system utilizes a combination of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) modules. These special panels generate electricity (photovoltaic) while capturing thermal energy (thermal) from the sun simultaneously. This dual functionality maximizes solar energy utilization.

Optimizing Performance: Balancing Power and Cost

To create the most efficient and cost-effective system, researchers employed a technique called response surface methodology (RSM) for multi-objective optimization. This approach aimed to achieve two key goals:

• Maximize net output power: Generate as much electricity as possible.
• Minimize the cost of the thermoelectric generator (TEG): Keep system costs down.

The Winning Formula: Efficiency Meets Affordability

By analyzing six key factors influencing cost and energy efficiency, the study identified an optimal configuration for the system. In this configuration, the system achieves:

• High Exergy Efficiency: This metric measures the system’s usable energy output. The optimized system boasts an impressive exergy efficiency of 19.704%.
• Favorable Operating Cost: The system operates at a cost-effective rate of 1.774 $/h.

Identifying Costly Culprits: Areas for Improvement

Economic analysis revealed two key areas impacting overall system cost:

• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer: This component, responsible for converting electricity to hydrogen fuel, contributes significantly to system cost.
• Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC): This unit utilizes thermal energy to generate electricity; its cost impacts the overall system.

Exergy Analysis: Pinpointing Energy Loss

Researchers also conducted an exergy analysis to identify components causing the most significant energy losses within the system. This analysis pinpointed:

• PV Panels: While efficient, they experience some energy loss during electricity generation.
• Absorption Chiller: This unit uses thermal energy for cooling but experiences some energy loss during the process.
• PEM Electrolyzer: In addition to its cost, this component also contributes to energy loss during hydrogen production.
• ORC Evaporator: Energy loss occurs during the conversion of thermal energy to usable power within this ORC unit.

Finding the Perfect Climate: Where Does This System Shine?

To assess the system’s real-world viability, researchers analyzed its performance across six different climate zones in Australia. The city of Maitland emerged as the ideal location for the system’s implementation.

This finding highlights the importance of considering climate factors like temperature and sunlight radiation when designing and implementing such systems. These factors significantly influence system costs, net output power, and overall efficiency.

A Pioneering Approach: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy

This innovative research offers a valuable contribution to the development of solar energy systems. By integrating cooling, hot water, and electricity generation, and emphasizing optimization for both efficiency and cost-effectiveness, this study paves the way for more sustainable and attractive solar energy solutions. The importance of climate-based analysis further underscores the need for customized approaches for widespread adoption across the globe. As research continues, such systems hold immense potential to become a cornerstone of sustainable energy solutions for homes and communities.

Reference: here

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