Multi-objective optimization of a hybrid building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) system and earth-air
heat exchanger (EAHE) is studied. According to the position of the BIPVT and EAHE systems, two different
configurations (i.e. configuration A and configuration B) are examined. In the heating mode of the configuration
A, the cold outdoor air is twice preheated by passing through the EAHE and BIPVT systems. In the cooling mode
of the configuration A, the hot outdoor air is precooled by flowing inside the EAHE system and the photovoltaic
(PV) modules are cooled using the building exhaust air. The cooling mode of the configuration B is similar to the
configuration A, while in the heating mode of the configuration B, the outdoor air first enters the BIPVT collector
and then passes through the EAHE system. The annual total amount of produced energy and exergy are considered
as the objective functions. The effective parameters in the optimization process include the air mass flow
rate, the length, width and depth of BIPVT channel and the length and depth of EAHE system. The outcomes
revealed that the annual total energy and exergy outputs of the optimum configuration A are 96448.6 kWh and
10015.5 kWh, respectively, while these values for the optimum configuration B are respectively 98537.5 and
9888.4 kWh.