International Journal of Engineering and Technology

It is well-known that the electrical efficiency conversion of photovoltaic systems is low due to non-linear semiconductor mechanism inside the solar cell materials. The increasing in output efficiency will be always very challenging to photovoltaic technology. One of the methods is to utilize the thermal energy arises in the back side of module, which may be called hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T). The advantage of this system is the output of electricity and thermal energy can be obtained simultaneously. In addition, the electrical efficiency can be indirectly improved since the thermal system acts as cooling system. In this research, thermal energy extraction mechanism is based on the performance of microcontroller ATmega8535 including thermal sensors. The idea is the microcontroller will operate pump to flow the media fluid through designed spiral pipe once the threshold temperature inside the heat box extraction is reached, therefore high temperature fluid can be observed in the outlet pipe. Several testing on three different fluids, air, water and thermal oil under clear sky, cloudy sky and rainy conditions are conducted in order to confirm the proper working condition of control system.