In this paper, overall thermal energy gain and exergy gain have been analyzed for four different cases (case (i) 25% PV coverage area, case (ii) 50% PV coverage area, case (iii) 75% PV coverage area and case (iv) 100% PV coverage area, on each collector) of N-numbers of partially covered Photovoltaic thermal (PVT)-compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) water collector connected in series. The analysis is computed by considering a, b, c and d type weather conditions for New Delhi climate condition, India. A transient model of N-PVT-CPC water collectors connected in series has been developed using basic thermal energy balance equations. Six collectors has been optimized for desired temperature range. An attempt has been taken to select an appropriate configured partially covered N-PVT-CPC water collector. On the demand of electrical and overall exergy, case (iv) has been found to be appropriate because net annually overall exergy is 752.77 kW h and net annual electrical energy is 683.40 kW h which is maximum. On the other hand, when the demand of thermal gain is needed, case (i) is first choice due to it has been given 5203.02 kW h overall thermal energy gain which is five times greater than case (iv). The enviroeconomic study examines CO2 emission per annum is reduced by energy generation and how much money is saved. For case (i), 153.90 $/annum on overall thermal energy basis and 22.25 $/annum on the basis of overall exergy for case (iv). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.