Thermal management optimization of the photovoltaic cell by the phase change material combined with metal fins

Abstract

Regulating photovoltaic (PV) cells temperature using phase change materials (PCMs) is considered a promising thermal management strategy. In this study, a solar PV-PCM collector with rectangular copper fins was proposed, and the effects of the PCM height and fin length, arrangement, and number, on the temperature characteristics, and electrical efficiency of PV cells were numerically investigated. A PCM height of 60 mm could meet the thermal management requirement of a heat flux input of 800 W/m2 during the daytime. Compared with the PV-PCM model without fins, the PV cell performance was improved by 4.62% for the model uniformly arranged three fins with a height of 33.33 mm. The variable length and nonuniform arrangement of fins could further enhance the performance of PV cells; however, the temperature uniformity deteriorated. Compared with fin length and arrangement, the fin number played a more significant role in the thermal management of PV cells. The model with eleven fins performed the best with the average temperature, temperature unevenness, and efficiency of 48.58 °C, 3.20, and 11.19%, respectively. These values were 16.11 °C and 43.06% lower, and 7.70% greater than the model without fins. This study provides valuable insight into the design optimization of PV-PCM systems.