Solar energy is emerging as a viable, renewable resource for on-site generation of energy for thermal and electrical requirements, particularly in light of rising energy costs and growing understanding of the environmental harm caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Despite growing markets for both thermal and photovoltaic technologies, the two technologies have been promoted separately and distributed via separate channels, with a focus of different trades – plumbing for solar thermal and electrical for photovoltaics.

Recent developments in photovoltaic technologies and advances in adhesives and insulators offer an unprecedented opportunity to develop so-called combined photovoltaic / thermal (PV/T) collectors with good performance and reliability. The work of this project has been to focus on practical solutions and near term opportunities to develop a combined Photovoltaic / Thermal collector.

Units: SI