Evaluation of combined photovoltaic/thermal collectors

The thermal and electric performance of an air and a liquid type combined photovoltaic/thermal solar collector has been evaluated, yielding close correlation with theoretical results. Maximum thermal efficiencies of 42.5% and 40% for the liquid and air collectors without electric power production decreased to 40.4% and 32.9% when electrical power was produced. Maximum electrical efficiencies of 6.8% were measured.