IEA SHC PVT Task 60: Applications of Photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) Systems and New Fields of Application and Examples of PVT
Short Description
Progress in energy-relevant technologies is of great importance for achieving the collective goals of energy security, environmental protection and economic and social development. Participation in the Implementing Agreement IEA-SHC task 60 – PVT Systems allows Austrian stakeholders to establish cooperation at an international level, to carry out projects and to offer R&D services in the field of photovoltaic thermal technologies and systems. Participation allows access to valuable know-how as well as increased visibility in the international environment.
Goals and methods
The main objective for the national consortium was the integration of Austrian research institutions into the international network and the participation in the assessment of existing system solutions and the development of new system solutions principles in which the PVT technology offers advantages over classical "side by side installations" of solar thermal collectors and PV modules. The Austrian participation includes the survey of existing PVT systems on the market, optimal design, monitoring of PVT systems, the establishment of key performance indicators, the development and improvement of test procedures for PVT collectors, the cooperation on evaluation methods for PVT systems and the analysis of subsidy possibilities for PVT systems for a selection of different countries all over the world.
At the international level, the aim was to improve cooperation to increase knowledge about the technical and economic potential. Close cooperation between Austrian research institutions, companies and industry associations is intended to achieve optimum transfer and ideal utilization of the results.
Results and findings
Through the collection and preparation of contributions from the participating nations, a broad knowledge base has been built on available PVT technologies and the current state of the art. Also, a large number of already implemented PVT systems with detailed technical as well as economic descriptions were collected on the one hand, and on the other hand, the global development has been highlighted on the basis of yearly market studies. Through data gathering not only the market has been characterized, but also the main applications for PVT collectors have been identified. Also in the field of certification, modeling and evaluation, based on national contributions, hurdles but also opportunities and recommendations for the technology providers, scientific community and the interested public were derived.
The know-how gained was disseminated at national level through industry workshops, lectures/webinars and publications. At the international level, the visibility of Austria as a research location was strengthened by close cooperation and knowledge transfer.
Project Images
Terms of use: The pictures listed underneath the header “Project Pictures” originate from the projects in the frame of the programmes City of Tomorrow, Building of Tomorrow and the IEA Research Cooperation. They may be used credited for non-commercial purposes under the Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC).
Participants
Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Swiss (Operating Agent), United Kingdom
Contact Address
DI Thomas Ramschak
AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies
Feldgasse 19
8200 Gleisdorf
E-Mail: t.ramschak@aee.at
Alois Resch MSc
FH OÖ Forschungs und Entwicklungs GmbH
Roseggerstraße 15
4600 Wels
E-Mail: alois.resch@fh-wels.at