This study employs computational fluid dynamics techniques to examine whether replacing a single rotating turbulator in a photovoltaic/thermal system with multiple smaller rotating turbulators can enhance system performance. The cooling fluid used is pure water, and the turbulator type considered is twisted tube. The impacts of the number of turbulators (1–4), twist pitch (10–50 mm), rotational speed of turbulators (100–500 rpm), and water inlet velocity (0.05–0.2 m/s) on system performance are analyzed from both energy and exergy perspectives. The results are compared with those from cases that either lack a turbulator or include a stationary turbulator. The results indicate that the highest first-law overall efficiency, recorded at 115.147 %, is achieved in the case with four rotating turbulators, a twist pitch of 10 mm, a rotational speed of 200 rpm, and a water inlet velocity of 0.2 m/s. Additionally, the peak second-law overall efficiency, reaching 17.087 %, is observed in the case with four rotating turbulators, the same twist pitch and rotational speed, but a water inlet velocity of 0.05 m/s. It is also observed that substituting a single large rotating turbulator with multiple smaller ones enhances the system's overall performance, improving both energy and exergy efficiencies.
