Enhancing efficiency of PVT systems with finned PCM technology

Abstract

An increase in solar panel temperature reduces panel electrical efficiency, necessitating efficient active and passive cooling methods. This study proposes the introduction of Phase Change Material (PCM) on the backside of the solar panel, along with extended fins. The experimental investigation focuses on utilizing extended surfaces known as Thermal Conductivity Enhancers (TCE) in the PV-PCM (Photo Voltaic - Phase Change Material) module. Two independent aluminum fin designs are considered to enhance the thermal conductivity (k) of the PCM, analyzing the influence of the surface contact area and material volume fraction on the PV surface temperature during the charging period of the Production Validation Test-Pulse Code Modulation (PVT-PCM) panel. The experimental results demonstrate that an array of longitudinal and lateral fins with an optimal thickness of 3 mm maintains a lower temperature gradient throughout the process, significantly reducing the surface temperature of the PV panel. Numerical simulations using ANSYS Fluent were conducted for both the lateral- and cross-fin configurations, showing good agreement with the observed experimental data. This study aims tofill this research gap by optimizing PV panel cooling through the selection ofthe fin geometry, size, shape, and PCM.