packagePVT_UI
Information
This package contains validation models for the PVT_UI collector
(referred to as PVT1 in Meertens et al., 2026),
an uncovered PVT collector with rear insulation,
based on experimental data from HTW Saar (Jonas et al., 2019).
The validation includes four representative day types:
- Day Type 1: Clear sky, low temperature difference (η0 conditions)
- Day Type 2: Partly cloudy, low temperature difference
- Day Type 3: Clear sky, medium temperature difference
- Day Type 4: Clear sky, high temperature difference
The validation of PVT_UI is organized into two subpackages:
- Thermal: Includes four models for the four ISO 9806:2017 day types. Each model compares simulated and measured thermal output and evaluates the thermal loss components.
- Electrical: Contains four corresponding day‑type models that validate the electrical performance by comparing simulated and measured power output.
Model limitations
Overall, the PVT_UI validation demonstrates strong agreement between the model and measurements for both thermal and electrical outputs under a range of operating conditions. While electrical outputs are accurate and consistent across all day types, limitations in thermal output are observed under high wind speeds and rapid irradiance changes, primarily due to datasheet parameter constraints. This is particularly observed in Day Type 4, where a large temperature difference between the fluid and ambient air amplifies these limitations. The wind speed over the collector plane during most of the test periods is generated using an artificial blower, producing wind speeds around 3.5 m/s. This lies near the upper boundary of the test range for the datasheet thermal parameters, potentially leading to additional discrepancies between the modeled and measured results.
Validation results
The complete validation methodology, covering the model formulation, datasheet-based thermal–electrical coupling, and performance metrics, is documented in Meertens et al. (2026). The same paper reports the detailed results, including MAE and RMSE values and the energy deviations for each day type.
References
- Meertens, L.; Jansen, J.; Helsen, L. (2026). Development and Experimental Validation of an Open-Source Photovoltaic‑Thermal Collector Modelica Model that Only Needs Datasheet Parameters. Submitted to Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, Special Issue on Modelica, FMI, and Open Standards.
- Jonas, D., Theis, D., Frey, G. (2019). Performance modeling of PVT collectors: Implementation, validation and parameter identification approach using TRNSYS. Solar Energy 193, pp. 51–64.
Contents
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| PVTCollectorValidation | Validation model of a photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) collector using the ISO 9806:2017 thermal method with integrated electrical coupling |
| Electrical | Electrical behavior of an unglazed rear‑insulated PVT collector |
| Thermal | Thermal behavior of an unglazed rear‑insulated PVT collector |
| BaseClasses |