PV / thermal hybrid panels [RE-wrenches]

[troy]

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I haven't worked with sundrum, but I have done performance forensics  
on a Dawn solar system and been involved with another PVT system.  
Compared to glazed systems these systems can perform very poorly. In  
the case of the Dawn solar system, it performs very poorly even  
compared to unglazed collectors (1/8 the efficiency with a steep  
efficiency decline).

The key issue is the adsorption and emissivity of these surfaces.  
Unless they are coating the PV glass with a Low-E coating, its not  
going to be great. A typical NOCT for a PV panel is 113°F under FULL  
sun (1000 W/m^2) and 77°F outdoor temp. Obviously not too hot, even in  
good conditions. While they produce lots of BTUs, they often don't  
produce it at a useful temperature. In the winter at most locales, the  
production will practically be zero, unless you can have large preheat  
tank for the 60-70°F water that you'll make. In the summer they can  
produce a good bit of moderate temperature water. The question is is  
it cheap enough to make it worthwhile?


Troy Harvey
---------------------
Heliocentric
801-453-9434
taharvey at heliocentric.org


On Jun 4, 2008, at 5:34 PM, Kirk Herander wrote:

>
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> There is a company called Sundrum which integrates a solar thermal  
> collector
> on the backside of PV panels. As advertised, the thermal panels  
> absorb heat
> for transfer to DHW and also keep the panel cooler for higher power  
> output.
> I think they have sizes for Sanyo and Evergreen modules. Anybody  
> experienced
> with this or any similar products? Thanks.
>
>
>
>
>
> Kirk Herander
>
> Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> 802.863.1202
>
> fax 802.863-7908
>
> NABCEP(tm) Certified Solar PV Installer
>
> Xantrex Certified Dealer Charter Member
>
> NYSERDA-eligible installer
>
> VT Solar Incentive Program Partner
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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