LAUSR

Abstract The main aim of this paper is to analyze the performances of a linear focus concentrating photovoltaic and thermal (CPV/T) system used for a residential user. In particular, a complete model able to evaluate solar input, triple-junction solar cell (TJ) temperature, electrical and thermal energy of the CPV/T system and performances of the thermal energy storage battery is studied in order to match the CPV/T system energy output to the user energy loads. The integrated model is realized in TRNSYS, but some input functions are separately evaluated and then introduced in the general model. In particular, the Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) is modeled by means of the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Moreover, the cell TJ behavior is determined in terms of its temperature depending on the environmental conditions and the CPV/T system characteristics; a linear regression model is used to evaluate the cell temperature adopting data experimentally obtained. Hence, the DNI and the cell temperature represent the boundary conditions of the TRNSYS model that simulates the CPV/T system working linked to a residential user. Moreover, in order to verify if the CPV/T system is able to match the heating, cooling, SHW and electric demands of the residential user in each day of the year, four clusters have been defined. Each cluster has been realized referring to energy demands and to different environmental conditions of the year, determining four standard weeks. Finally, the dynamic model represents a new and complete tool able to calculate during all year the CPV/T system response to the residential user energy loads evaluating, by means of a control strategy, the cell and working fluid temperatures, the temperature stratification in the tank in the winter and summer seasons, the electrical and thermal performances.