Solar energy is a kind of renewable energy which applicable in many industries, including agriculture. In this research, a new flat plate solar collector including phase change material (PCM) and photovoltaic panel were used to prevent the drying process interruption. In the system, the vertical copper tubes on the collector plate were filled by phase change materials to save extra thermal energy during the charging process. This saved thermal energy was then released in a latent form and helped to accelerate the drying process. Additionally, placing the phase change material beneath the photovoltaic panel effectively cooled the panel and improved its performance. Simulation results showed that paraffin, as the phase change material, effectively maintains thermal stability, increases drying speed, and enhances the system's efficiency. Therefore, this study will explore the potential of combining phase change material and photovoltaic technologies to design an optimized and more sustainable drying system for agricultural applications.
