Investigation of energy efficiency of a hybrid pv-t system for Malaysia household

Lee, Zhao Ming (2026) Investigation of energy efficiency of a hybrid pv-t system for Malaysia household. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Malaysia's reliance on fossil fuels and the push for renewable energy face challenges in tropical climates, where high ambient temperatures degrade standard photovoltaic (PV) module efficiency. This study investigates the electrical and thermal efficiency of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) system designed for Malaysian residential households to simultaneously generate electricity and usable hot water. An experimental prototype was fabricated using a monocrystalline PV panel and tested under natural outdoor conditions in Bandar Sungai Long. The study evaluated two active front-surface water cooling configurations: Setup A, an evaporative sprinkler system, and Setup B, a continuous direct-contact water film. Both configurations were compared against a baseline standalone PV module. Results demonstrate that active thermal management significantly mitigates efficiency losses. Setup A achieved a maximum panel temperature reduction of 17.2 °C compared to the standalone unit, successfully preventing thermal degradation and recovering electrical efficiency. However, Setup B exhibited superior overall stability and heat extraction, reaching a peak combined system efficiency of 91.9% and a peak thermal power of 310.0 W. Economic analysis confirms that Setup B is the more practical and viable solution for real-world scaling due to minimal environmental water loss, capable of offsetting approximately 13.78% of a typical four-person household's daily water heating load. The findings conclude that PV-T systems offer an economically sound, dual-benefit energy solution that maximizes solar utilization and supports sustainable residential energy transition in tropical climates.

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