Recent progresses and achievements in photovoltaic-phase change material technology: A review with special treatment on photovoltaic thermal-phase change material systems. (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Islam, M.M.; Pandey, A.K.; Hasanuzzaman, M.; Rahim, N.A.
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 126(2016)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: Nanofluid -- Phase change material -- Photovoltaic thermal -- Solar energy -- Thermal management; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.07.075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Broad summary of phase change materials based cooling for photovoltaic modules. Compendium on phase change materials that are mostly used in photovoltaic systems. Extension of heat availability period by 75–100% with phase change material. Heat storage potential improves by 33–50% more with phase change material. Future trend and move in photovoltaic thermal research. Abstract: This communication lays out an appraisal on the recent works of phase change materials based thermal management techniques for photovoltaic systems with special focus on the so called photovoltaic thermal-phase change material system. Attempt has also been made to draw wide-ranging classification of both photovoltaic and photovoltaic thermal systems and their conventional cooling or heat harvesting methods developed so far so that feasible phase change materials application area in these systems can be pointed out. In addition, a brief literature on phase change materials with particular focus on their solar application has also been presented. Overview of the researches and studies establish that using phase change materials for photovoltaic thermal control is technically viable if some issues like thermal conductivity or phase stability are properly addressed. The photovoltaic thermal-phase change material systems are found to offer 33% (maximum 50%) more heat storage potential than the conventional photovoltaic-thermal water system and that with 75–100% extended heat availability period and around 9% escalation in output. Reduction in temperature attained with photovoltaic thermal-phase change material system is better than that with regular photovoltaic-thermal water system, too. Studies also show the potential of another emerging technology of photovoltaic thermal-microencapsulated phase change material system that makes use of microencapsulated phase change materials in thermal regulation. Future focus areas on photovoltaic thermal-phase change material research have also been proposed in this paper.