An integrated cooling mechanism for photovoltaic systems

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, despite their potential as a renewable energy source, suffer from performance degradation due to temperature rise. This research proposes an integrated passive cooling system that combines finned convective and radiative cooling with graphite-infused phase change material (PCM) in a cascade configuration. The cascade arrangement creates temperature stratification, delaying and restricting temperature increases. Graphite-infused PCM enhances thermal conductivity, facilitating efficient heat dissipation. Additionally, a finned heat sink augments convective heat transfer between PCM and the ambient environment, increasing the heat transfer area. A thin silica layer with pyramid lattices is incorporated to improve radiative heat transfer, particularly beneficial in hot climates with a significant temperature difference between the PV cell and the sky. A mathematical model is developed and validated against experimental data to assess the system’s performance. The model simulates PV cell temperature variations for six different scenarios to identify the most effective cooling mechanism. The study demonstrates a remarkable 27 °C reduction in peak PV cell temperature, translating to a substantial up to 100% increase in overall PV cell efficiency. This research contributes to the evolving landscape of PV cooling technologies and provides valuable insights for optimizing PV panel performance.