Project description
Solar cells that produce electricity and heat during the day and provide cooling at night
Photovoltaic thermal collectors are power generation technologies that convert solar radiation into usable thermal and electrical energy. By combining photovoltaic solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity, with a solar thermal collector, which transfers unused waste heat from the photovoltaic module to a heat transfer fluid, a higher overall efficiency can be reached than by photovoltaic or solar thermal technology alone. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RC-PV/T project aims to train a talented early-stage researcher in the field. The research will include the investigation and integration of a radiative cooling mechanism into a photovoltaic thermal collector. The photovoltaic thermal collector will thus be able to produce electricity and heat during the daytime and provide cooling during the night.
Objective
This fellowship aims to train a talented early career researcher and contribute to the EU scientific excellence by investigating and developing an innovative coupled radiative cooling and photovoltaic/thermal (RC-PV/T) collector for building-integrated applications. The Incoming Researcher is a winner of Grand Gold Medal of Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, Excellent Doctoral Dissertations Award of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Excellent PhD Graduate Award of the President of CAS, attributed to his original proof-of-concept study of the novel RC-PV/T technology.
The Incoming Researcher is a highly dedicated and motivated young researcher and has been stimulated to devise this novel design. Solar thermal collection and photovoltaics are the dominating technologies, however, the combined photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technology is expected to become popular due to its higher overall efficiency, more cost effective and better match with building energy demand as well. Integration of radiative cooling into a PV/T collector can further contribute to such merits by adding a night sky cooling function, so a RC-PV/T collector can produce electricity and heat during the daytime and provide cooling during the nighttime. To achieve such triple functions, the applicants have analysed and proposed the ideal spectral selective characteristics of the RC-PV/T panel, and a desirable RC-PV/T micro/nano coating as well as a RC-PV/T collector will be designed and trial-manufactured.
The project has been carefully designed to match the Incoming Researcher’s profile with the strengths of the University of Nottingham in solar energy, micro/nano coating and low carbon buildings, and thus facilitates a two-way knowledge transfer and training. Successful completion of this fellowship will contribute to the European excellence in renewable energy technologies for Zero Energy Buildings, and promote the professional competence and career prospect of the Incoming Researcher.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
NG7 2RD Nottingham
United Kingdom