A 1.2 kWp roof top grid-connected photovoltaic thermal system (GCPVT) with SiC nanofluid that supply both electricity and hot water has been designed, fabricated, and evaluated under the tropical climate conditions. The performance was compared to a conventional photovoltaic grid connected system (GCPV). The photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors consist of specially designed rectangular tube absorbers with a height of 15 mm and a width of 25 mm, and attached under an array of 10 pieces of photovoltaic modules. The results indicated that the GCPVT SiC nanofluid system has better performance ratio, array, final and reference yield, and (PV, inverter, and system) efficiencies compared to the grid connected photovoltaic (GCPV) system. In the month of March, the GCPV indicated PV array efficiency of 8.77%, performance ratio (PR) of 77.14%, monthly array yield of 105.70 kWhikWp and final yield of 100.53 kWh/kWp. Similarly, the GCPVT with nanofluid indicated a PV array efficiency of 13.52%, PR of 95.72%. The highest values for monthly array yield and final yield were obtained in March, were at 157.32 and 152.71 kWh/kWp, at flow rate of 0.17 kg/s, respectively. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.