A High Performance Solar Heat and Power System Employing the Innovative Photovoltaic/Thermal Technology

Through a close collaboration between the leading UK/China universities and the top China/UK companies, this project will develop a novel, high efficiency, low cost and building integrate-able PV/T system for building space heating, hot water and power supply. The universities have specific knowledge of the most advanced PV/T, micro-channel and loop heat pipe technologies and also expertise in China-oriented business strategy. The companies have strong R&D and manufacturing capacity in solar PV, thermal, PV/T and heat storage/ exchangers. The new PV/T system will achieve 30% higher overall solar efficiency and 20% cost saving compar-ed to existing equivalent PV/T systems and will be flexible in components selection to meet different needs in buildings. The innovative technologies include (1) a novel loop-heat-pipe (LHP); (2) a novel PV/T panel; (3) a highly efficient heat storage/exchanger, and (4) an internet-based intelligent monitoring & control system. Such technological advances should open up an enormous China and global business in solar heat and power sector, thus creating considerable impact on economy, industry and environment within China, the UK and beyond.