Review of computer models of air-based, curtainwall-integrated PV/T collectors Omid Nemati a,n , Luis M. Candanedo Ibarra b , Alan S. Fung a a Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada M5B 2K3 b Dublin Institute of Technology, Postal Code 6, Dublin, Republic of Ireland article info Article history: Received 13 July 2015 Received in revised form 16 February 2016 Accepted 7 April 2016 Keywords: Curtainwall Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector Thermal collection efficiency Dimensional analysis Solar-optical properties Nusselt number correlations Daylighting abstract Photovoltaic–thermal (PV/T) collectors provide renewable energy, and they are instrumental to achieve grid independency. A subset of these collectors is collectors that are integrated into building envelope. The so-called “building-integrated” PV/T collectors have seen a dramatic rise in popularity recently. This recent popularity has necessitated systematic design optimization. To benefit design optimization, a review of computer models of these collectors was performed. This review was performed by objectively assessing international findings on roof-integrated and curtain-wall integrated PV/T collectors. The scope of this review was thermal collection efficiency. The significance of this review was to identify the weakest link in computer models that should one day lead to more accurate computer models. This weak link is the internal heat transfer rate. To overcome this weakness, a model calibration method was proposed that is based on case-by-case parameter identification. In addition, a detailed dimensional analysis was performed that allowed a new Π group to be introduced to Nusselt (Nu) number correla- tions of developing, turbulent parallel-plate flow. This Π group is the Stanton number as applied to the inter-channel radiative heat transfer coefficient (St r ). Commonly implemented Nu number correlations do not account for this heat transfer rate. They only account for collector geometry, collector air flow inertia and collector air viscosity. & 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 102 2. Literature review .................................................................................................... 104 3. Internal heat transfer coefficients ....................................................................................... 110 4. Dimensional analysis of channeled PV/T collectors ......................................................................... 112 5. Solar-optical models ................................................................................................. 113 6. Daylighting studies .................................................................................................. 114 7. Mass flow rate and pressure drop ...................................................................................... 114 8. Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 114 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................... 114 Appendix A. Laminar Nusselt numbers ................................................................................... 114 Appendix B. Turbulent Nusselt numbers .................................................................................. 115 References ............................................................................................................. 116 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.026 1364-0321/& 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abbreviations: AVG, subscript denoting log-mean average; c p , collector air specific heat capacity; D, hydraulic diameter, twice as high as channel spacing; h, heat transfer coefficient; INS, subscript denoting to insulation layer; k, collector air thermal conductivity; L, collector length; μ, collector air shear viscosity; m, mass flow rate; Nu, Nusselt number; PV, Photovoltaic; Q, heat transfer rate; ρ, collector air density; r, subscript denoting inter-channel radiation heat exchange; Re, Reynolds number; T, temperature; u, mass-weighted average collector air velocity; W, collector width n Corresponding author. E-mail address: omid.nemati@ryerson.ca (O. Nemati). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 63 (2016) 102–117