| CPC H02S 10/10 (2014.12) [F24S 10/55 (2018.05); F24S 60/30 (2018.05); H02S 40/44 (2014.12)] | 20 Claims |
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1. An energy co-generation system for hybrid photovoltaic-thermal energy output to reduce natural gas usage, comprising:
a photovoltaic panel configured to convert at least a portion of light incident upon a first surface of the photovoltaic panel into electrical energy for consumption by an electrical load;
a heat exchanger that is coupled to a second surface of the photovoltaic panel that opposes the first surface of the photovoltaic panel,
wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of individual fluid channels through which a fluid flows and collects heat emitted from the photovoltaic panel,
wherein the plurality of individual fluid channels are defined by non-bonded areas between a first sheet and a second sheet of the heat exchanger each spanning a respective length between an inlet of the heat exchanger and an outlet of the heat exchanger, and
wherein each of the plurality of individual fluid channels directs the fluid in communication with the non-bonded areas that are coated with nanoparticles of a thermally-conductive material that includes at least one of graphite, graphene, or graphene oxide; and
a thermal tank fluidically coupled to the outlet of the heat exchanger to receive and store the fluid after the fluid collects the heat emitted from the photovoltaic panel, the thermal tank being configured to supply the fluid to an external thermal energy load while the fluid retains at least a portion of the heat.
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