• KIEAE Journal
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.17-22
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• 2007

The integration of PV modules into building facades or roof could raise their temperature that results in the reduction of PV system's electrical power generation. Hot air can be extracted from the space between PV modules and building envelope, and used for heating in buildings. The extraction of hot air from the space will enhance the performance of BIPV systems. The solar collector utilizing these two aspects is called PV/T(photovoltaic/thermal) solar collector. This paper compares the experimental performance of two different types of air type PV/T collector units: the base case of a collector unit with 10cm gap for forced ventilation and the other unit with copper pin attached to PV module to enhance its thermal performance. The experimental results shows that the base case unit had the overall efficiency of 41.9% and the improved unit with copper pin attached to PV module had 50.1% efficiency. For these air type PV/T units, the forced ventilation of the air space improved the electrical performance as well as the thermal performance.