Numerical Modeling of c-Si PV Modules by Coupling the Semiconductor with the Thermal Conduction, Convection and Radiation Equations

Vogt, Malte R.; Holst, Hendrik; Winter, Matthias; Brendel, Rolf; Altermatt, Pietro P.

doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.030

Cited by 35 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…All the cells (except CIGS) had anti-reflection coating. The cell-level measurement, however, may underestimate the parasitic absorption slightly, because ~3% of sunlight is absorbed by in the encapsulation layers of a practical module structure [21]. Otherwise, the absorptivity profile of a module is essentially the same as that of ARC-coated bare cell, an assertion validated by our numerical modeling (not shown).…”

Section: Asupporting

confidence: 59%

Optics-Based Approach to Thermal Management of Photovoltaics: Selective-Spectral and Radiative Cooling

Sun

Silverman

Zhou

et al. 2017

IEEE J. Photovoltaics

113

100

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-For commercial one-sun solar modules, up to 80% of the incoming sunlight may be dissipated as heat, potentially raising the temperature 20°C-30°C higher than the ambient. In the long term, extreme self-heating erodes efficiency and shortens lifetime, thereby dramatically reducing the total energy output. Therefore, it is critically important to develop effective and practical (and preferably passive) cooling methods to reduce operating temperature of PV modules. In this paper, we explore two fundamental (but often overlooked) origins of PV self-heating, namely, sub-bandgap absorption and imperfect thermal radiation. The analysis suggests that we redesign the optical properties of the solar module to eliminate parasitic absorption (selective-spectral cooling) and enhance thermal emission (radiative cooling). Comprehensive opto-electro-thermal simulation shows that the proposed techniques would cool one-sun terrestrial solar modules up to 10°C. This self-cooling would substantially extend the lifetime for solar modules, with corresponding increase in energy yields and reduced levelised cost of electricity (LCOE).

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Section: Asupporting

confidence: 59%

Optics-Based Approach to Thermal Management of Photovoltaics: Selective-Spectral and Radiative Cooling

Sun

Silverman

Zhou

et al. 2017

IEEE J. Photovoltaics

113

100

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“…In addition, we note that all light absorption by free carriers – including the absorption of the below‐bandgap light – generates heat, which decreases the energy output of all solar cells . For the case of silicon modules, the cell rear metallization is the biggest parasitic heat source .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐refractive‐index nanoparticle interlayers to reduce parasitic absorption in metallic rear reflectors of solar cells

Boccard

Firth

et al. 2017

Physica Status Solidi (a)

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Phone: þ480 965 9959, Fax: þ480 965 3837Metal reflectors or electrodes in contact with optoelectronic devices can induce parasitic light absorption. A low-refractiveindex (low-n) layer inserted between the metal reflector and the optically active layer(s) reduces this absorption. We investigate the use of porous, nanoparticulate films as low-n layers, and fabricate silicon solar cells with nanoparticle/silver rear reflectors. We vary the porosity and thus n (between 1.1 and 1.5) of the nanoparticle films, which are deposited by a controllable aerosol spray process, and investigate their effectiveness in reducing infrared parasitic absorption in the solar cells. Optical test structures incorporating films with the highest n exhibit an internal reflectance of over 99%, matching best-in-class structures; lower-n layers should in theory perform better still but their rougher surfaces appear to induce plasmonic absorption in the overlying silver layer. No loss in open-circuit voltage or fill factor is observed when applying the best nanoparticle films in silicon heterojunction solar cells, enabling efficiencies similar to those achieved with reference cells that employ a thick indium tin oxide layer between the wafer and the rear silver electrode.

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“…Currently, outdoor testing is underway on the PV monitoring facility of TU Delft. Several c-Si solar cell topologies will be studied, as their IR behavior is different depending on their architecture (see the work of Vogt et al [14] ). Further findings will be publicly available at the end of the experimental activities.…”

Section: Modeling and Experimental Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concepts for heat utilization and passive cooling techniques to improve reliability and performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Lizcano

Calcabrini

Santbergen

et al. 2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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When integrated into urban environments, photovoltaic (PV) systems usually present operational temperatures that are significantly higher than those shown by rack-mounted systems. High operating temperatures are associated with reduced reliability of PV modules and significantly impact the electrical performance of solar cells. Utilizing the heat produced on PV modules or reducing operating temperatures can bolster their application within the building sector. We present the three main concepts studied to achieve these goals. First, a PV is a chimney concept that allows the use of the heat generated by the modules. Simulations for a PV chimney installed on a building in the Netherlands showed that although the heat quality produced inside its cavity was low, the potential use of the air mass flow for ventilation applications is promising. Additionally, we present two passive cooling solutions that can reduce the operating temperatures of PV modules: Optical filters and phase change materials. Experimental measurements in Delft showed that these solutions reduce the operating temperature of PV modules between 4 °C to 20 °C, particularly under high irradiance hours.

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Numerical Modeling of c-Si PV Modules by Coupling the Semiconductor with the Thermal Conduction, Convection and Radiation Equations

Cited by 35 publications

References 7 publications

Optics-Based Approach to Thermal Management of Photovoltaics: Selective-Spectral and Radiative Cooling

Optics-Based Approach to Thermal Management of Photovoltaics: Selective-Spectral and Radiative Cooling

Low‐refractive‐index nanoparticle interlayers to reduce parasitic absorption in metallic rear reflectors of solar cells

Concepts for heat utilization and passive cooling techniques to improve reliability and performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

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