Experimental investigation of solar photovoltaic panel integrated with phase change material and multiple conductivity-enhancing-containers. (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Preeti; Mudgal, Vijay; Khanna, Sourav; Mallick, Tapas K.; Reddy, K.S.
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 205(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: Photovoltaic panel -- Phase change material -- Temperature regulation; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Among all passive methods for photovoltaics (PV) cooling, phase change material (PCM) can be highly effective due to high latent heat capacity. However, very low thermal-conductivity of PCM restricts its potential. The proposed work focuses on the enhancement of rate of heat transfer from PV to PCM by using conductivity-enhancing-containers. The proposed approach was experimented outdoor and compared with the reference panel for different seasons at Chennai, India. PV temperature, open circuit voltage, short circuit current, Current-Voltage (I–V) and Power-Voltage (P–V) curves, fill-factors, power outputs, efficiency and daily electricity generation are reported. The results show that the proposed heat sink was able to decrease the maximum PV temperature from 64.4 °C to 46.4 °C for January and 77.1 °C to 53.8 °C for June. It increased the open circuit voltage of PV from 24.3 V to 26.4 V for January and 23.6 V to 26.0 V for June. The fill-factor increased from 0.678 to 0.705 for January. Consequently, the electrical efficiency increased from 9.5% to 10.5% during noon. Daily electricity generation increased from 769 Wh/day to 817 Wh/day during January and 948 Wh/day to 1026 Wh/day during June. Thus, daily electricity generation increased by 6.2% for January and 8.3% for June using proposed approach. Highlights: Peak PV temperature drops from 77 to 54 °C by PCM & conductivity enhancing container. Electricity generation elevated from 948 to 1026 Wh/day using proposed PCM heat sink. Open circuit voltage of PV raised from 23.6 to 26.0 V using proposed PCM heat sink. Daily electricity generation from PV increased by 6.2% in January and 8.3% in June. Fill factor of PV increased from 0.678 to 0.705 for January using proposed approach.