Evaluation of the impact of different composite phase change materials on reduction in temperature and enhancement of solar panel efficiency

Abstract

The amount of electricity produced by a solar panel is very sensitive to the temperature at which it is operating. The higher the temperature of a Photovoltaic system, the lower the efficiency of its conversion of sunlight into electricity. The application of phase change material (PCM) for phase change is now one of the most viable strategies for reducing and managing the temperatures of solar Photovoltaic panels and for increasing the electrical energy efficiency of the system. The present investigation is based on experimental tests of the monocrystalline solar panel joined individually with vermiculite & paraffin jelly composite phase change material (VP-PCM) as well as with expanded perlite & paraffin jelly composite phase change material (PEP-PCM). The VP-PCM and PEP-PCM were installed behind the solar photovoltaic module. According to the findings, the PCM integrated panel that was used was successful in lowering the maximum temperature that could be reached by the photovoltaic, increasing the power output, and increasing the electrical efficiency.