Investigation on Thermal Absorptivity of PCM Matrix Material for Photovoltaic Module Temperature Reduction

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) system experience challenges from module temperature (Tmod) increasing particularly due to stagnation of thermal energy (TE) on its surface. Efforts to reduce the Tmod is widely experimented in many ways, like incorporating latent heat storage material (PCM) with PV module to reduce the Tmod through radiation and convection heat transfer. This paper focuses on selecting of an effective thermal absorption material for the fabrication of PCM matrix and optimization of the critical spacing between the PV module and PCM matrix. The thermal absorptivity of Aluminum (Al) and Copper (Cu) were analyzed with and without coated absorber at different spacing conditions. It was observed that Al tube matrix with coated absorber was absorbed 3.0 °C more than copper at 6 mm distance from module. Hence further studies on the Tmod reduction will be effective with the use of Al as PCM matrix tube.

Experimental Studies on PV Module Cooling With Radiation Source PCM Matrix

“…2 (a). From our previous study, it was clear that selective absorber enhances the heat absorption rate, following that in this research also selective absorber is coated on the front surface of the 36 PCM matrix cylindrical tubes [71].…”

“…Considering our previous study [71], selective absorber is coated on the PCM matrix top surface to absorb the thermal energy effectively that are transferred by PV module tedlar surface. PCM matrix front surface at particular distance absorbs the thermal energy by radiation and convection (h PV→air = h PV→Al ) as it does not have physical contact with the PV module tedlar surface that are expressed in equation (8).…”

A Review of Heat Batteries Based PV Module Cooling—Case Studies on Performance Enhancement of Large-Scale Solar PV System

“…In the recent decade, researchers have been using PCM as coolant material to enhance the electrical efficiency of the PV module [54,68]. This passive cooling technique does not require a flowing medium, or external energy needed to circulate the coolants, thus making PV-PCM systems/technology more economical with low maintenance costs compared to conventional PV-thermal systems.…”

Enhancing Photovoltaic Thermal System Efficiency Using Micro-Channel Container and Nanoparticle Composited Phase Change Material: Effect of Dimensionless Water Flow

“…The consideration of a phase change material's latent heat of fusion is generally necessary when choosing a suitable PCM for the purpose of reducing the temperature of a PV module. However, it is worth noting that numerous phase change materials (PCMs) exhibit significant latent heat while simultaneously possessing a relatively poor thermal conductivity, as indicated by previous studies [5,6]. The improvement of PCM thermal conductivity and the reduction of PV module system temperature have been the subject of a multitude of scholarly publications.…”