Evaluation of the Energy and Ecological Effects of a Photovoltaic-Thermal System

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the operating parameters of a solar active installation with seven photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) collectors with a total area of 14 m2 in a single-family house. A comparative analysis of the work parameters was carried out for the following two locations: Warsaw (Poland) and Andravida (Greece), based on the research of the solar system model created in the TRNSYS 16 program. Considering the months with the best sunshine, from May to August, the average monthly electricity yield in PV/T solar collectors was 206 kWh (Warsaw) and 248 kWh (Andravida). In July, the monthly generation-to-consumption ratio of the PV/T system under the Polish climate conditions was 82%, and under the Greek climate conditions—99%. The heat recovery from PV/T solar collectors in July in the climate of Greece was estimated at 264 kWh and is 29% higher compared to the heat recovery in a hybrid solar installation located in Poland. The generation of electricity in the PV/T solar system instead of a coal-fired power plant can contribute to the avoidance of the annual emissions of pollutants by: 14.00–19.11 kg of SO2, 2.72–3.72 kg of NOX, 5.44–7.43 kg of CO, 1330.86–1816.79 kg of CO2, and 1.09–1.49 kg of particulate matter, depending on the location.