Design optimization and experimental evaluation of novel photovoltaic modules in comparison with a conventional photovoltaic module

Abstract

ABSTRACT Solar energy is a clean and pollution-free resource that can meet thermal and electrical energy demands throughout the year, even on cloudy days, and it helps reduce the need for imported oils and fossil fuels. Direct conversion of radiant energy from the sun into electric power is possible only through photovoltaic (PV) technology. It should be noted that the rate of conversion of sunlight into electricity in solar photovoltaic modules is relatively low. The performance of the PV module is affected by various parameters, but the temperature of a solar photovoltaic cell has a significant impact on its efficiency. The PV module becomes overheated due to poor heat dissipation in the module. The photovoltaic efficiency can be improved by minimizing the temperature in the cells. Two types of PV modules are designed and fabricated to minimize the temperature of the PV cells by changing the cell arrangement and bottom material, and their performance is evaluated. In this study, the performance of the conventional PV module is compared with two novel PV modules. The temperature distribution in each layer of three modules is analyzed in Transient thermal analysis using Ansys software. The experiment results were validated with simulation results to better understand the mechanism involved between temperature and photovoltaic efficiency. The experimental studies were carried out under the climate patterns of Coimbatore (latitude: 10.8977ºN; longitude: 76.9528ºE), Tamil Nadu. It has been discovered that the average photovoltaic efficiency of PV1, PV2 and PV3 was 8.5%, 9.7%, and 9.2%, respectively.