Hybrid photovoltaic-thermal and co-generation system

A heat exchanger to extract consumable thermal energy from photovoltaic panels for reduction of natural gas usage, the heat exchanger comprising:

• a first sheet constructed from a thermally-insulating plastic;
• a second sheet constructed from a thermally-conductive metal and bonded to the first sheet, the second sheet configured to interface with at least one of the photovoltaic panels;
• and
• a plurality of individual fluid channels defined by non-bonded areas between the first sheet and the second sheet each spanning a respective length between an inlet of the heat exchanger and an outlet of the heat exchanger, the plurality of individual fluid channels directing fluid received at the inlet of the heat exchanger to the outlet of the heat exchanger such that the fluid collects heat emitted from the at least one of the photovoltaic panels through the second sheet,
• wherein each of the plurality of individual fluid channels directs the fluid in communication with the non-bonded areas of the first sheet and the second sheet that are coated with nanoparticles of a thermally-conductive material that includes at least one of graphite, graphene, or graphene oxide.

A method for co-generation of thermal energy with a photovoltaic system to reduce natural gas usage, the method comprising:

• coupling a heat exchanger comprising a first sheet and a second sheet to a photovoltaic panel such that the second sheet of the heat exchanger interfaces with at least a portion of the photovoltaic panel,
• wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of individual fluid channels defined by non-bonded areas between the first sheet and the second sheet each spanning a respective length between an inlet of the heat exchanger and an outlet of the heat exchanger;
• flowing a fluid through the plurality of individual fluid channels of the heat exchanger for the fluid to collect heat from the photovoltaic panel through the second sheet,
• wherein each of the plurality of individual fluid channels directs the fluid in communication with the non-bonded areas of the first sheet and the second sheet that are coated with nanoparticles of a thermally-conductive material that includes at least one of graphite, graphene, or graphene oxide;
• receiving the fluid from the heat exchanger at a thermal battery, the thermal battery configured to store the fluid and to cause the fluid to retain at least a portion of the heat collected from the photovoltaic panel;
• storing electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel in an electrical battery;
• and
• supplying, to a thermal load, the fluid stored in the thermal battery to thermally energize the thermal load.