SA-LA binary composite phase change material was prepared by mixing stearic acid (SA) and lauric acid (LA) in different mass fractions, and tested for thermal properties. The results indicate that composite PCM has a lowest peak melting point of 42.9°C, thus suitable for application in solar cell thermal control system. In addition, PV/PCM solar cell thermal control prototypes with different PCM thicknesses were designed and tested for thermal and electrical properties. The effects of different PCM volume on solar cell thermal control properties were studied, showing that compared with non-PCM systems, solar cell temperature in the PV/PCM system was reduced by more than 20°C, with output power increased by more than 11%. The research results provide experimental references for the preparation of SA-LA composite phase change materials and their application in thermal control of solar cells.
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