Abstract
The current research seeks to maintain high photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and increased operating PV life by maintaining them at a lower temperature. Solid-liquid phase change materials (PCM) are integrated into PV panels to absorb excess heat by latent heat absorption mechanism and regulate PV temperature. Electrical and thermal energy efficiency analysis of PV-PCM systems is conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in two different climates. Finally costs incurred due to inclusion of PCM into PV system and the resulting benefits are discussed in this paper. The results show that such systems are financially viable in higher temperature and higher solar radiation environment.
Highlights
Silicon photovoltaics (PV) show a power drop above 25 °C panel temperature with a temperature coefficient ranging from −0.3%/K up to −0.65%/K [1,2] depending on type of PV cell and manufacturing technology [3]
The PV-phase change materials (PCM) system in the current research is considered as a new type of a photovoltaic-thermal systems employing latent heat storage
The energy efficiency of a (PV-T) system can be defined as a ratio of total thermal and electrical energy produced to the total solar energy falling on the PV surface given by Equation (1) [32]
Summary
Silicon photovoltaics (PV) show a power drop above 25 °C panel temperature with a temperature coefficient ranging from −0.3%/K up to −0.65%/K [1,2] depending on type of PV cell and manufacturing technology [3]. The operating temperature reached by PV panels and associated power drop largely depends on the climate of the site. In Germany 50% of the solar radiation incident on a PV panel is above 600 W/m2, while in Sudan this value reaches 80%, resulting in different operating temperatures and associated power drop [5,6]. Passive heat removal in free standing PV relies on the buoyancy driven air flow in a duct behind the PV [10]. A theoretical analysis of buoyancy driven air flow in such an opening behind a façade integrated PV showed a maximum of 5 °C temperature reduction in averaged monthly temperature resulting in a net 2.5% increase in yearly electrical output of the PV [14]. The devised system is deployed outdoors in two different climatic conditions, i.e., the cool climate of Ireland and the hot climate of Pakistan, to compare PV-PCM performance
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