Heat-dissipation performance of photovoltaic panels with a phase-change-material fin structure

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation can directly convert solar radiation photons into electrical energy, but PV panels produce a large amount of waste heat during absorption of solar radiation, significantly increasing the working temperature and reducing the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the panels. In this study, a phase-change material (PCM) is used to cool the PV panels, and fins are added to enhance PCM heat transfer. Using numerical simulation, the effects of fin spacing, fin height, solar radiation intensity, and ambient temperature on the heat-dissipation performance of the PV/PCM system were then studied. The fin–PV/PCM structure showed a good cooling effect. With decreasing fin spacing, the increase in the panel temperature gradually decreased. Fin spacing of 6 mm exhibited the best cooling effect, with the battery plate temperature reduced by 31.9 °C compared with that of the natural convection condition without fins. The increase in the panel temperature gradually decreased with increasing fin height, and the cooling effect of the panel improved significantly when the fin height was increased from 30 to 70 mm. The heat-dissipation effect of the fin–PV/PCM system was better with higher solar radiation intensity and higher ambient temperature. The results of this study will have important reference value for performance improvement of PV panels.