Data collection in solar systems for efficiency enhancement

In the context of the global energy transition and increasing demand for clean energy solutions, photovoltaic (PV) and hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems have emerged as key technologies. However, challenges related to efficiency losses due to thermal dissipation remain a major concern with PV systems typically operating at limited efficiencies (approximately 22 %) and significant energy loss as heat (approximately 80 %). This article presents a dataset collected from two distinct solar systems: one PV and one PV/T. Both systems were installed at the São Mateus campus of the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The dataset includes electrical measurements, such as voltage, current, and power for each of the four modules (two photovoltaic and two hybrid PV/T), as well as thermal measurements of the water heating system, including fluid temperatures, mass flow rates, and environmental conditions (ambient temperature, wind speed, and solar irradiance). Data was collected at one-minute intervals, with each variable sampled twenty times per interval to increase accuracy. The voltage and current data produced by each module of the PV and PV/T systems, the water temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger, in the storage tank and reservoir, as well as the flow rate of heated water, solar irradiance, and wind speed were collected over a period of 23 days and are available in the Mendeley repository. The experimental setup, based on real residential usage conditions-including electricity and hot water consumption profiles, provides a representative foundation for energy performance analyses and for comparing PV and PV/T technologies. The collected data will support future studies focused on evaluating energy efficiency, techno-economic feasibility, and the potential integration of these systems into residential buildings, contributing to the advancement of sustainable solar energy solutions. The dataset was developed to research on the efficiency and optimization of PV and PV/T systems, and their application in different environmental and operational scenarios. These data are of great relevance for the research and development of systems, providing a solid basis for investigating the efficiency of solar panels through modelling, simulation, and model validation. In addition, these data are valuable for comparison with other systems and for the development of control strategies that maximize the thermal and electrical efficiency of the systems.