According to Solimpeks, the project, which was completed in May 2010 after commissioning began in February 2010, is “one of the largest hybrid collector hot water and electricity installations in England to date”.
Any PV cell is negatively affected by heat, with output dropping by around 0.5 % for every Kelvin degree. A 10-degree rising in temperature, for example, would mean a loss in power output of about 5%. Scientists at Solimpeks have turned this problem into a solution by developing its “PV-T”: a hybrid PV and solar thermal collector, which enables the PV cells to be cooled using water circulating around them. The result, greater electrical output from the cells and the production of hot water.
As well as installing 54 Volther hybrid collector to generate both electricity and hot water simultaneously, Solimpeks also installed two double pumps, two expansion tanks and boilers, enabling hot water to be stored at up to 70 C degrees in the afternoon hours.
Solimpeks reports that the system can produce 8,000 litres of hot water per day, and that it has a very low payback period of close to 34 months.
Solimpeks Solar Energy Systems Co. was founded in Konya (Turkey) by a team of professionals with three generations of experience in the renewable energy field. The company has 18 quality certificates and multiple awards for environment friendliness and has produced one of the first hybrid collectors in the world. Solimpeks is one of the leading manufacturers of solar thermal panels in the world and considers investing in sustainable energy as a way of providing "valuable heritage for future generations”.
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