Building-integrated heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal system for use in Hong Kong.

Heat pipe is a high-efficiency heat transfer device being widely used in solar applications. In this study, an innovative building integrated heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (BiHP-PVT) system, which offers electricity generation, services water pre-heating, and space air-conditioning load reduction, was investigated. Firstly, a dynamic model was developed for a heat pipe photovoltaic/thermal (HP-PVT) system, and the numerical accuracy was confirmed by experimental validation. Then the annual performance of the BiHP-PVT system was evaluated through a case study in Hong Kong based on the typical weather conditions. The simulation results show that the annual overall heat transmission through the external wall can be reduced to less than a quarter of the normal practice. The annual water heating efficiency and electricity generation efficiency are around 35% and 10% respectively. The overall electricity saving is 315 kW h/year per unit façade surface area. In addition to its attractive energy performance, the BiHP-PVT system presents larger climate adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]