Performance improvement in concentrated photovoltaics using nano-enhanced phase change material with graphene nanoplatelets. (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sivashankar, M.; Selvam, C.; Manikandan, S.; Harish, Sivasankaran
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 208(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Concentrated photovoltaics -- Concentration ratio -- Nano enhanced PCM -- Graphene nanoplatelets; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, the thermal performance of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells using phase change material (PCM) loaded with graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) is reported. Commercially available organic chemical mixture of OM35 is considered as the PCM for this study. An electric heater is used to mimic the temperature of CPV. The heat sink is attached to a heater and the ejected heat from the heater absorbed by PCM, which is stored in the heat sink. Initially, the performance of the CPV cell with pure PCM is studied and the results are compared with the case of nano enhanced PCM (n-PCM). The results of this study show that the temperature of the CPV cell reduces significantly with the use of nano enhanced PCM. The power output and efficiency of the CPV cells increased due to a reduction in the temperature of CPV cells with nano enhanced PCM. The maximum increase in power output and efficiency of the CPV are observed to be 7% and 6% respectively for 0.5% volume concentration of nano enhanced PCM at solar concentration ratio of 5. Highlights: Thermal performance of Conc. Photovoltaic Cell with nano enhanced PCM is reported. Maximum temperature reduction is obtained as 20 °C with nano enhanced PCM. Power output and energy efficiency improved by 7% and 6% respectively with PCM. Performance of CPV cell improves with addition of graphene nanoplatelets in PCM.