PVT-E Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal Module

1. Product Overview

Solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic (PV) modules are currently the two primary building-integrated solar technologies supporting the global transition toward carbon-neutral buildings. However, each of these technologies traditionally delivers only a single form of energy: photovoltaic modules generate electricity, while solar thermal collectors provide heat. Neither technology alone is capable of simultaneously satisfying the modern building’s integrated demand for electricity, heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. This structural limitation leads to both suboptimal energy utilization and inefficient use of available building surfaces.

PVT (Photovoltaic-Thermal) hybrid technology represents a systematic solution to this problem. By combining photovoltaic and solar thermal functions into a single integrated module, PVT technology enables simultaneous production of electricity and heat from the same solar aperture. In this way, the full energy potential of the solar spectrum can be harvested more efficiently, transforming incident solar radiation into both electrical and thermal outputs with significantly higher overall system efficiency.

The PVT-E hybrid module is an advanced energy conversion product that transforms solar radiation into usable electrical and thermal energy within a single component. Its core innovation lies in the coupling of a thermal energy harvesting subsystem directly to the rear side of the photovoltaic module through an integrated heat extraction structure. This configuration allows waste heat generated during the photovoltaic conversion process to be recovered and reused, rather than dissipated into the environment.

The thermal and electrical subsystems are not simply combined mechanically, but are co-designed according to their respective operating temperature ranges and energy conversion characteristics. Through coordinated thermal-electrical system design, the PVT-E module enables stable and efficient operation of both functions under dynamic outdoor conditions. This coordinated operation minimizes internal energy losses, stabilizes photovoltaic operating temperature, and significantly improves the overall utilization efficiency of solar radiation.

Compared with conventional standalone PV modules, the PVT-E module increases the combined electrical and thermal energy output by approximately two to three times per unit area. This makes it suitable for a wide range of building and infrastructure applications, including space heating, domestic hot water supply, and low-temperature industrial heat demand. By replacing conventional fossil-fuel-based energy sources, the PVT-E module contributes directly to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and supports the long-term decarbonization of the built environment.

2. Product Advantages

(1) Efficiency Advantage

The PVT-E module achieves a significantly higher overall energy efficiency than either photovoltaic modules or solar thermal collectors operating independently. By integrating thermal recovery with electrical generation, the system reaches a combined solar energy utilization efficiency of up to 80%.

Photovoltaic cell performance is strongly influenced by operating temperature. For crystalline silicon solar cells, every 1°C increase in cell temperature typically reduces electrical conversion efficiency by approximately 0.3%–0.5%. The PVT-E module actively extracts heat from the rear of the photovoltaic cells, maintaining the cell temperature within the optimal range and thereby stabilizing and enhancing electrical output while simultaneously producing usable thermal energy.

This dual benefit—improved electrical performance and recovered thermal output—creates a synergistic efficiency gain that cannot be achieved by separate PV and thermal systems.

(2) Space Utilization Advantage

In dense urban environments and modern building designs, available roof and façade areas are often limited. The PVT-E module produces both electricity and heat from the same surface area, effectively doubling the functional energy output per square meter.

Compared with the conventional approach of installing separate photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors, the PVT-E system reduces required installation area by approximately 50%, enabling higher energy density on rooftops and building envelopes without increasing structural footprint.

(3) Environmental Advantage

The PVT-E system operates without direct carbon dioxide emissions during operation. It supplies buildings and industrial processes with renewable electricity and renewable heat, directly replacing fossil-fuel-based energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

By providing both forms of energy from a single renewable source, the PVT-E module contributes to substantial reductions in operational carbon emissions and supports long-term climate mitigation objectives in both building and industrial sectors.

(4) Economic Advantage

The dual production of electricity and heat creates two parallel economic value streams from a single investment. Users benefit simultaneously from reduced electricity purchases and reduced fuel consumption for heating.

Furthermore, by maintaining lower operating temperatures for photovoltaic cells, the system reduces thermal stress on encapsulation materials and electrical components, extending module service life and lowering lifecycle maintenance costs. This results in improved long-term financial performance and higher return on investment compared with conventional solar solutions.

3. Core Technical Performance Indicators

(1) Thermal-Electrical Coupling for Optimal Energy Utilization

The PVT-E module employs advanced thermal-electrical coupling technology to provide integrated heat and power supply from a single component. During photovoltaic conversion, a significant portion of absorbed solar radiation is converted into heat. This heat is actively captured through the integrated thermal subsystem and transported away from the photovoltaic layer.

By controlling the surface temperature of the photovoltaic cells within the optimal efficiency range of 25–45°C, the system maintains high electrical performance while recovering thermal energy for building use. As a result, the overall solar energy utilization efficiency exceeds 80%.

(2) Temperature Control for Longevity and Reliability

High operating temperatures accelerate the aging of encapsulation materials and electrical insulation, and increase the risk of hot-spot formation that can damage photovoltaic cells. The PVT-E system’s active thermal management reduces thermal stress, slows material degradation, and mitigates hot-spot risk.

As a result, the system not only extends module service life but also increases cumulative electricity generation over the lifetime of the module by more than 16% compared with conventional PV systems operating at higher temperatures.

(3) Advanced Vacuum Lamination and Thermal Curing Technology

The PVT-E module overcomes critical challenges associated with vacuum lamination and thermal curing in hybrid module manufacturing. Through optimized vacuum lamination and heat-curing bonding processes, the system achieves defect-free structural integration between photovoltaic and thermal layers.

The process eliminates micro-cracks, air bubbles, and delamination defects, resulting in stable long-term performance, enhanced structural reliability, and sustained thermal-electrical efficiency throughout the product lifecycle.

4. Technological Innovations and Breakthroughs

(1) High-Efficiency Energy Conversion and Dual Optimization

By studying photovoltaic-thermal coupling mechanisms and establishing transient coupling models, the system enables precise control of working fluid parameters through PID-based regulation. This maintains the module within its optimal temperature range, achieving 22.4% electrical efficiency and over 35% thermal efficiency, increasing total solar utilization to more than three times that of traditional systems.

(2) Spectral Selective Coating Integration

The system incorporates multilayer spectral selective coatings produced through combined PVD and CVD processes. These coatings enable broadband solar spectrum utilization, optimizing absorption and conversion efficiency across a wide range of wavelengths and maximizing optical energy utilization.

(3) High-Efficiency Heat Transfer Coupling Technology

Advanced bonding processes address challenges of material compatibility, interlayer adhesion, and thermal stress control under vacuum conditions. Optimized temperature-gradient curing and heat spreader layouts reduce interfacial thermal resistance and improve both heat transfer efficiency and long-term stability.

(4) Low Thermal Loss Design

Through multi-physics modeling and thermal loss analysis, the system integrates aerogel composite insulation, staggered insulation layers, selective coatings, and vacuum packaging into a comprehensive low-loss architecture. This significantly reduces convective and radiative heat losses, preserving thermal energy quality for practical use.

5. Why Choose Soletks Solar

Soletks Solar has established a complete technology and industrial chain in the field of clean solar energy. The company holds more than 30 core patents covering selective absorber coatings, thermal-electrical coupling, and flat-plate thermal system integration, with most technologies already industrialized.

A 500 m² flat-plate clean energy testing platform equipped with spectral analyzers, IV testing systems, and thermal performance testing equipment ensures comprehensive product validation. Intelligent manufacturing lines with automation rates exceeding 85% guarantee consistent quality, high production efficiency, and reliable delivery.

Through deep technical accumulation, industrial maturity, and rigorous quality control, Soletks Solar provides not only advanced products but also long-term technical reliability for customers pursuing sustainable energy solutions.