In　this　paper,　an　analysis　of　three-dimensional　transient　thermal　transfer　is　presented　to　evaluate　the　performance　of　a　photovoltaic　thermal　module　with　an　optimize　structural　design,　incorporating　direct　use　of　an　aluminum　collector　as　the　substrate.　The　effect　of　cross-sectional　geometries　and　ratios　of　size　and　spacing　was　considered　to　optimize　the　performance　of　a　photovoltaic-thermal　(PVT)　module.　The　temperature,　velocity　and　pressure　distributions　were　demonstrated　in　a　steady　state　model　using　a　finite　element　method.　Simulation　results　indicated　the　temperature　of　the　PVT　module　was　increased　by　the　solar　irradiation　incident　with　the　panel,　yet　overall　decreased　by　an　increased　flow　velocity.　In　this　study,　we　examine　seven　types　of　media　used　as　the　medium　to　cool　the　PVT　module,　where　water　was　preferred,　due　to　its　higher　specific　heat　capacity.　Further,　for　multiple　interconnected　PVT　modules,　connecting　method　in　parallel　and　series　resulted　in　pressure　drop　for　the　PVT　module.　In　addition,　the　simulations　were　compared　to　experimental　data　providing　validation　of　the　estimated　operating　temperature　in　agreement　with　simulation　results,　and　the　outcomes　will　provide　an　indication　for　preferred　assembly　of　PVT　modules　for　application　in　building　integration　and　future　product　design.　©　2020　International　Solar　Energy　Society