Project code: IP-2026-4935
Financing: Croatian Science Foundation
Project duration: 12. 10. 2026. – 11. 10. 2029.
Project budget: 146.000,00 EUR
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ABSTRACT
Hybrid photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) solar systems enhance overall solar energy utilization by simultaneously producing electrical and thermal energy. Installing a latent heat storage (LHS) tank in such a system enables increasing the system energy performance and storing heat for later use. The project deals with modelling and optimization of hybrid PV/T solar system with a separate shell-and-tube LHS tank.
The research focuses on the development of advanced dynamic models of the system, that simulate coupled electrical, thermal and phase-change behaviour under real environmental and operating conditions. These models will be experimentally validated using a real-scale laboratory PV/T system equipped with a shell-and-tube LHS tank. Particular attention will be given to accurately describing heat transfer mechanisms, phase change material (PCM) melting and solidification dynamics and temperature-dependent photovoltaic performance.
Based on the validated models, dynamic control strategies will be developed to enhance electrical efficiency and optimize the charging and discharging behaviour of the LHS. These strategies will be evaluated under variable environmental and operating conditions to assess their effectiveness. Subsequently, multi-objective optimization techniques will be applied to identify optimal combinations of PV/T collector area, LHS volume, PCM physical properties and heat transfer fluid (HTF) operating parameters. The expected outcomes of the research include experimentally validated dynamic models of hybrid PV/T – LHS systems, control strategies applicable to real PV/T installations and optimized system configurations that significantly improve overall energy performance as well as design recommendations for pilot and commercial systems. By increasing energy efficiency, the project contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the application of integrated renewable energy systems.
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RESEARCH GROUP
Prof. D. Sc. Anica Trp – project leader
Assoc. Prof. D. Sc. Igor Bonefačić
Assoc. Prof. D. Sc. Boris Delač
Assoc. Prof. D. Sc. Vladimir Glažar
Assoc. Prof. D. Sc. Mateo Kirinčić
Assist. Prof. D. Sc. Josip Batista
Assist. Prof. D. Sc. Robert Baždarić
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OBJECTIVES
The overall objective:
Development, experimental validation, control and optimization of a hybrid PV/T solar system with shell-and-tube latent heat storage to maximize overall electrical and thermal energy performance under real operating conditions.
The specific objectives:
O1. Development and experimental validation of dynamic models that simulate the electrical and latent heat storage outputs of the system under real environmental and operating conditions.
O2. Coupled designing and selection of PV/T collector area, shell-and-tube LHS volume, PCM melting temperature and latent heat capacity as well as HTF temperature and flow rate.
O3. Development and assessment of advanced dynamic control strategies to enhance both electrical output and latent heat storage charging and discharging.
O4. Multi-objective optimization of system configurations and main components in order to maximize overall energy performance.
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