Abstract: The application of solar energy can be broadly classified into two categories; thermal energy systems which converts solar energy into thermal energy and photovoltaics energy system which converts solar energy into electrical energy. The vital component in solar energy system is the solar collections systems. Two solar energy collection systems commonly used are the flat plate collectors and photovoltaic cells. Normally, these two collection systems are used separately. It has been shown that these two systems can be combined together in a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) energy system. The term PVT refers to solar thermal collectors that use PV cells as an integral part of the absorber plate. The system generates both thermal and electrical energy simultaneously. The number of the photovoltaic cells in the system can be adjusted according to the local load demands. In conventional solar thermal system, external electrical energy is required to circulate the working fluid through the system. The need for an external electrical source can be eliminated by using this hybrid system. With a suitable design, one can produce a self-sufficient solar collector system that required no external electrical energy to run the system. The different options in the development in PVT systems have been categorized by the heat transfer fluid used i.e. air, water, refrigerant. The choice of the heat transfer fluid is fundamental to the design of PVT systems. In this paper, the PVT systems used air cooled for removal of heat from the photovoltaic panels. The paper also describes the trends in the research and development of air-cooled and water cooled PVT concepts and identifies the possible promising systems for further research and development.

 

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Kamaruzzaman Bin Sopian obtained his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, MSc in Energy Resources from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and PhD. in Mechanical Engineering from the Dorgan Solar Laboratory, University of Miami in 1997. He is presently the Professor in Renewable Energy at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Currently, he is the Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute, a center of excellence for the research and development in solar energy technology. He has been involved in the field of solar energy for more than twenty years. His main contributions are in solar radiation modeling, alternative material for solar absorber, solar water heating system with integrated storage system, solar desalination, solar cooling, daylighting using solar light pipes, solar assisted drying systems, grid-connected photovoltaic system, thin film silicon solar cells, combined photovoltaic thermal or hybrid collector and solar hydrogen production system.

He has published over 400 research papers in journals and conferences. He has delivered keynotes speeches at national and international conferences on renewable energy. He is the founding member of the Malaysian Institute of Energy, member of the World Renewable Energy Network based in the United Kingdom and is an associate editor of the Renewable Energy published by Elsevier Ltd. He heads several national subcommittees on renewable energy by the Malaysian government to promote awareness, market enhancement, policy studies and the applications renewable energy.