Thermal analysis of high concentrator photovoltaic module using convergent-divergent microchannel heat sink design

Abstract

The dense-packed high concentrator photovoltaic module (DP-HCPVM) is normally exposed to a very high heat flux concentrated from sunlight. The resultant high module operation temperature drops the overall performance and reduces the module life expectancy. Consequently, the provision of powerful cooling is compulsory for such structures. In this study, a complete three-dimensional (3D) model was developed to investigate the performance of a DP-HCPVM under the active cooling scheme to figure out its ability to attain effective heat dissipations. A new cooling convergent-divergent microchannel heat sink cases were numerically investigated and compared in terms of temperature distribution and electrical efficiency of a DP-HCPVM. The influence of heat sink design and inlet mass flowrate on the cooling performance of the heat sink device were examined. The same external dimensions are considered, and the flow was laminar with the inlet temperature of 25 °C for all designs for a reasonable comparison. The concept of variation flow direction by changing the inlet and outlet arrangement is adopted. The comparison between all studied designs was highlighted concerning surface average temperature, surface temperature uniformity, and pressure drop across the heat sink. The results indicated that the new convergent-divergent microchannel heat sink design achieved better effectiveness and heat transfer rate compared to the conventional straight microchannel heat sink design for DP-HCPVM thermal management, as it decreased the average cells temperature and temperature non-uniformity by 11.4% and 37.8%. Moreover, it was found that the electrical efficiency and Nusselt number were improved by 0.35% and 21.9% at the maximum studied inlet mass flowrate.