Prototype of the hybrid sun–universe energy harvester for the simultaneous generation of electricity, heating, and cooling. Credit: Gan Huang, KIT
Photovoltaic panels generate electricity, solar thermal collectors provide heat, while cooling is usually supplied by air conditioning systems that themselves consume electricity. As a result, buildings require different technologies competing for the limited space available on roofs and facades.
A solution developed by a team led by Dr. Gan Huang at KIT's Institute of Microstructure Technology, by contrast, simultaneously provides cooling, electricity and heating from a single surface. This hybrid PDRC-solar system combines photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies with passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC). The researchers see applications wherever cooling and energy are required simultaneously.
The study is published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.
"Our vision is that roofs and facades could become active energy surfaces that simultaneously provide electricity, heating and cooling," says Huang. "The concept could also be attractive for energy-intensive applications such as AI data centers, which need intensive power and cooling."
