Dynamics of Air Humidity in a Concentrator Photovoltaic Module with a Drying Device

Abstract

We have studied the dynamics of air humidity in the interior of a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module equipped with air-drying device filled with moisture-absorbing material based on silica gel. A new design of the air-drying device was developed for preventing the deposition of condensate onto the surfaces of a Fresnel lens, solar cell, and CPV module. Under unfavorable ambient conditions (relative humidity up to 95%), this device allowed to reduce the inner humidity to 25–55% at cyclic temperature variation within 15–45°C and to increase the dew point deficit up to 10–25°C.