Experimental study and techno-enviro-economic analysis of pavement-integrated photovoltaic/thermal applications in different cities considering the ground influence

Under the carbon neutrality target, solar photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies are increasingly crucial. The pavement-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (PIPV/PIPVT) road is novel for harvesting solar energy in limited urban space instead of the conventional rooftops and facades. This study aims to evaluate the techno-enviro-economic performance of the PIPV(T) technology in different climate zones of China. A 2D finite element PIPV(T) system model with the stratified tank is established considering ground heat transfer and then validated by experimental test results with system thermal and electrical performances MAPE within 2.5% and 3.5%. Three metropolises of different climate zones in China are compared to assess design parameters and operation strategy selection on the energy and environmental performance. The increase in tank volume leads to a notable reduction in tank temperature by 15.51 °C (Hong Kong), 13.66 °C (Shanghai), and 12.28 °C (Beijing), and contributes to more effective mitigation of the summer urban heat island effect. Moreover, the techno-enviro-economic analysis for the six Chinese provincial cities is compared in 6 aspects, with Hong Kong exhibiting the most favorable summer performance in terms of energy, economic, and environmental impact, and Lhasa standing out in annual electrical output and winter road surface temperature increase.