Simulation of a concentrating PV/thermal collector using TRNSYS

Abstract

A TRNSYS component (Type 262) has been written to simulate a concentrating PV/Thermal collector. The component is based on a dynamic model of a concentrating PV/Thermal collector, which includes thermal capacitance effects, and detailed equations describing the temperature dependent energy flow between the collector and surroundings. The CHAPS system, a 30x concentration parabolic trough PV/Thermal collector developed at the ANU, has been used to validate the accuracy of the Type 262 TRNSYS component. Results are presented comparing the annual output of a domestic CHAPS system that integrates the Type 262 collector, with a flat plate solar hot water system and a PV array located side-by-side.