Performance, economic, and environmental assessment of PV and PVT systems in Lebanon: A comparative case study

In areas with great solar potential, like Lebanon, combining solar energy systems—especially photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) technologies—has emerged as a viable answer to growing energy demands and environmental issues. Through a real-world investigation in Lebanon, this study compares the electrical performance, economic feasibility, and environmental impact of standalone PV and hybrid PVT systems. A validated simulation approach, a thorough economic and CO₂ mitigation analysis, and localized thermal modeling and monthly performance comparison of PV and PVT systems under Lebanese climate circumstances are what make this work unique. Electrical energy output and efficiency were estimated using thermal models for both systems. The models were checked against the body of existing research. Over the course of a year, analysis was done on monthly energy output, system efficiencies, payback periods, and CO₂ emissions reductions. In January, PV and PVT systems generated 372.5 kWh and 391.7 kWh of electricity, respectively, while in July, they generated 796.3 kWh and 934.2 kWh. During hot months, the PVT system's electrical efficiency advantage over PV peaked at 17.3 %, with a minimum difference of 5.2 % during the winter. In terms of economics, the PV system's payback period was 3.7 years, while the PVT system's was 1.1 years. In terms of the environment, PV and PVT reduced CO₂ emissions by 3.45 and 17.36 tons annually, respectively.