Experimental investigation of a TiO2 nanofluid spectral beam-splitting photovoltaic-thermal system under outdoor conditions
Source abstract
Abstract
This paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental validation of a fluid-based spectral beam-splitting photovoltaic–thermal (BSPVT) system using a TiO2 nanofluid filter. A modular setup was developed comprising a hinged mild steel frame to accommodate the PV panel and fluid filter, a circulation system for controlled fluid flow, and integrated instrumentation for monitoring thermal and electrical performance under outdoor solar conditions. The TiO2 nanofluid (0.04% w/w) was selected as the filter medium for its c-Si responsive range transparency and near-infrared absorption, enabling spectral separation and dual energy harvesting. Experimental trials conducted at Daman, India (20.41° N, 72.86° E), during April 2025, demonstrated that the nanofluid filter reduced PV surface temperature by 12–15 °C compared to baseline, stabilized electrical efficiency at 7.4–9.4% during midday, and achieved thermal efficiencies of 45–67%, resulting in overall efficiencies exceeding 70% during peak hours. While a marginal reduction in early-hour electrical output was observed, this was offset by significant thermal energy gains. The results confirm the suitability of TiO2 nanofluids as spectral filters and establish the developed rig as a reliable platform for long-term experimental studies on BSPVT systems. The developed experimental platform provides a scalable and flexible foundation for long-term outdoor studies, enabling future investigations on alternative nanofluids, flow rates, filter path lengths, and year-round performance assessment of BSPVT systems.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems · Chemical and Physical Properties of Materials · Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (24)
Show source-provided references
1. Jara TT, Salau AO, Markus ED, Omeje CO, Tin TT. Optimization of a fuzzy-based MPPT controller for a PV water pumping system through a PSO-based approach. Math Model Eng Problm. 2024;11(09):110914. https://doi.org/10.18280/mmep.110914.10.18280/mmep.110914 ↗
2. Cholamuthu P, Irusappan B, Paramasivam SK, Ramu S, Muthusamy S, Panchal H, et al. A grid-connected solar PV/wind turbine based hybrid energy system using ANFIS controller for hybrid series active power filter to improve the power quality. Int Trans Electr Energy Syst. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9374638.10.1155/2022/9374638 ↗
3. Vaka M, Walvekar R, Rasheed AK, Khalid M, Panchal H. A review: Emphasizing the nanofluids use in PV/T systems. IEEE Access. 2020;8:58227–49. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2950384.10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2950384 ↗
4. Walvekar R, Chen YY, Saputra R, Khalid M, Panchal H, Chandran D, et al. Deep eutectic solvents-based CNT nanofluid: A potential alternative to conventional heat transfer fluids. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng. 2021;128:314–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2021.06.017.10.1016/j.jtice.2021.06.017 ↗
5. Alqatamin A, Su J. Experimental investigation of the photovoltaic thermal integrated with ground heat exchanger using volcanic tuff stones. Appl Therm Eng. 2025;263:125357. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2024.125357.10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2024.125357 ↗
6. Alqatamin A, Al-Khashman OA, Su J. A novel heatsink for optimizing photovoltaic cell performance with passive cooling using perforated wave-shaped fins. J Solar Energy Eng. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4068410.10.1115/1.4068410 ↗
7. Alqatamin A, Jinzhan S. Numerical analysis and design of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system with novel water-cooling channel structure integrated with perforated V-shape fins. Renew Energy. 2025;243:122587. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RENENE.2025.122587.10.1016/J.RENENE.2025.122587 ↗
8. Alqatamin A, Su J. Machine learning prediction of photovoltaic-thermal system with V-shaped perforated fins. Appl Therm Eng. 2025;280:128344. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2025.128344.10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2025.128344 ↗
9. Mojiri A, Taylor R, Thomsen E, Rosengarten G. Spectral beam splitting for efficient conversion of solar energy—a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;28:654–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.026.10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.026 ↗
10. Jiwanapurkar P, Bhargav H. Spectroscopic analysis of water-based TiO2 and ZnO nanofluid for fluid-based beam split photovoltaic-thermal system. J Sol Energy Res. 2025;10:45–55. https://doi.org/10.22059/jser.2025.379717.1445.10.22059/jser.2025.379717.1445 ↗
11. Jiwanapurkar PR, Bhargav HA, and Ramani B. Fluid based solar spectral beam splitters for hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems: a review, 2023.10.1504/IJRET.2023.132982 ↗
12. Huang H, et al. Photovoltaic–thermal solar energy collectors based on optical tubes. Sol Energy. 2011;85(3):450–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.12.011.10.1016/j.solener.2010.12.011 ↗
13. Vijayaraghavan S, Ganapathisubbu S, Santosh Kumar C. Performance analysis of a spectrally selective concentrating direct absorption collector. Sol Energy. 2013;97:418–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2013.08.008.10.1016/j.solener.2013.08.008 ↗
14. Crisostomo F, Hjerrild N, Mesgari S, Li Q, Taylor RA. A hybrid PV/T collector using spectrally selective absorbing nanofluids. Appl Energy. 2017;193:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.028.10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.028 ↗
15. Joshi SS, Dhoble AS, Sathe T, Mangrulkar C. Performance analysis of photovoltaic thermal system using Silicone Oil spectrum filter. Appl Sol Energy. 2018;54(1):4–9. https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X18010061.10.3103/S0003701X18010061 ↗
16. Kumar S, et al. Experimental performance investigation on a gold nanofluid laden spectral beam splitting photovoltaic /thermal system under tropical climate of India. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2025;293:113834. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLMAT.2025.113834.10.1016/J.SOLMAT.2025.113834 ↗
17. Kumar M, Kumar S, Singh S, Chander N, Kumar A. Outdoor thermal performance study of a full-scale nanofluid based spectral beam splitting photovoltaic/thermal system with phase change material. J Energy Storage. 2025;140:118909. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EST.2025.118909.10.1016/J.EST.2025.118909 ↗
18. An W, Wu J, Zhu T, Zhu Q. Experimental investigation of a concentrating PV/T collector with Cu9S5 nanofluid spectral splitting filter. Appl Energy. 2016;184:197–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.10.004.10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.10.004 ↗
19. Serrano MA, Moreno JC. Spectral transmission of solar radiation by plastic and glass materials. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111894.10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111894 ↗
20. Shaik S, Bhardwaj M, Agarwal S, Yendaluru RS, Hasanuzzaman M, Sharma KV. Evaluation of optical transmissivity of transparent materials on the performance of solar flat plate collectors. J Solar Energy Eng Trans ASME. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4050214.10.1115/1.4050214 ↗
21. Duffie JA, Beckman WA. Solar engineering of thermal processes. Hoboken: Wiley; 2013. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118671603.ch1.10.1002/9781118671603.ch1 ↗
22. Joshi SS, Dhoble AS. Analytical approach for performance estimation of BSPVT system with liquid spectrum filters. Energy. 2018;157:778–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.204.10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.204 ↗
23. Pak BC, Cho YI. Hydrodynamic and heat transfer study of dispersed fluids with submicron metallic oxide particles. Exp Heat Transfer. 1998;11(2):151–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/08916159808946559.10.1080/08916159808946559 ↗
24. Feng T, Li L, Shi Q, Zhang Y, Li G. Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of TiO2(H). J Chem Thermodyn. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jct.2019.106040.10.1016/j.jct.2019.106040 ↗