Abstract: Two solar energy collection systems commonly used are the flat plate collectors and photovoltaic cells. Normally, these two collection systems are used separately. These two systems can be combined together in a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) energy system. The term PVT refers to solar thermal collectors that use PV cells as an integral part of the absorber plate. The system generates both thermal and electrical energy simultaneously. The number of the photovoltaic cells in the system can be adjusted according to the local load demands. In conventional solar thermal system, external electrical energy is required to circulate the working fluid through the system. The need for an external electrical source can be eliminated by using this hybrid system. With a suitable design, one can produce a self-sufficient solar collector system that requires no external electrical energy to run the system. The different options in the development in PVT systems have been categorized by the heat transfer fluid used i.e. air, water, refrigerant. The choice of the heat transfer fluid is fundamental to the design of PVT systems. The absorber design of the PVT is very important since it will be the basis for better heat transfer and higher efficiency systems. Absorbers attached to the surface with more coverage area on PV cell can increase its thermal, electrical and combined efficiencies. Other than increasing solar irradiance, reducing fluid flow input temperature can also be another option for increasing the thermal performance. Best performance of PV/T collector’s thermal efficiency in this study can be as high as 51.4 %. The Split flow PV/T design had shows better performance compared to 2 other convention PV/Ts which are Direct flow and Parallel flow.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Kamaruzzaman Bin Sopian obtained his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, MSc in Energy Resources from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and PhD. in Mechanical Engineering from the Dorgan Solar Laboratory, University of Miami in 1997. He is presently the Professor in Renewable Energy at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Currently, he is the Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute, a center of excellence for the research and development in solar energy technology. He has been involved in the field of solar energy for more than twenty years. His main contributions are in solar radiation modeling, alternative material for solar absorber, solar water heating system with integrated storage system, solar desalination, solar cooling, daylighting using solar light pipes, solar assisted drying systems, grid-connected photovoltaic system, thin film silicon solar cells, combined photovoltaic thermal or hybrid collector and solar hydrogen production system.
He has published over 400 research papers in journals and conferences. He has delivered keynotes speeches at national and international conferences on renewable energy. He is the founding member of the Malaysian Institute of Energy, member of the World Renewable Energy Network based in the United Kingdom and is an associate editor of the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Cities and Society published by Elsevier Ltd. He heads several national subcommittees on renewable energy by the Malaysian government to promote awareness, market enhancement, policy studies and the applications renewable energy.