University of Tabriz Journal of Agricultural Mechanization 2383-126X 4 2 2018 10 23 Thermal Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Solar Collector with Fins Thermal Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Solar Collector with Fins 27 41 9563 FA Ahmad Moradi Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Yahya Ajabshirchi Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Ali Deliran Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Journal Article 2019 11 23 <strong>Abstract</strong> <br />In this study, the energy analysis of an air-cooled photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) equipped with fins was investigated. A PV panel with the same characteristics without cooling fluid was used to compare the results as the control system. A fan with air flow rate of 0.033 kg s^-1 was used to create forced convection flow. In the lower part of the air channel, a plate with trapezoid fins was mounted to create turbulent flow in the air channel to increase the heat transfer coefficient between the plate and air fluid. Six temperature sensors LM35 were used to record air temperature and a computer program in MATLAB was developed to compute the theoretical performance. The results showed that the use of air flow reduces the temperature of solar cells and thus increases the PV/T output voltage by about 9% over all hours of the experiment compared to the control system (PV). The theoretical and experimental thermal efficiency of the PV/T was calculated as 0.51 and 0.47, respectively. Also, the average difference between theoretical and experimental temperature was about 8%. The maximum difference between air outlet temperature and ambient temperature in measured and predicted were 7.06 and 10.25, respectively, and the minimum differences were 1.40 and 2.97, respectively. <br />  <strong>Abstract</strong> <br />In this study, the energy analysis of an air-cooled photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) equipped with fins was investigated. A PV panel with the same characteristics without cooling fluid was used to compare the results as the control system. A fan with air flow rate of 0.033 kg s^-1 was used to create forced convection flow. In the lower part of the air channel, a plate with trapezoid fins was mounted to create turbulent flow in the air channel to increase the heat transfer coefficient between the plate and air fluid. Six temperature sensors LM35 were used to record air temperature and a computer program in MATLAB was developed to compute the theoretical performance. The results showed that the use of air flow reduces the temperature of solar cells and thus increases the PV/T output voltage by about 9% over all hours of the experiment compared to the control system (PV). The theoretical and experimental thermal efficiency of the PV/T was calculated as 0.51 and 0.47, respectively. Also, the average difference between theoretical and experimental temperature was about 8%. The maximum difference between air outlet temperature and ambient temperature in measured and predicted were 7.06 and 10.25, respectively, and the minimum differences were 1.40 and 2.97, respectively. <br />  https://jam.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_9563_f9f45796a60f8dfb327c786f4e87c3bc.pdf