Performance evaluation of bifacial PV modules using high thermal conductivity fins. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Jiaqi; Zhou, Yanfang; Niu, Xinwei; Sun, Shouliang; Xu, Li; Jian, Yanzhen; Cheng, Qing
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 245(2022)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Natural convection -- Air cooling -- Cell's performance -- Solar energy -- Power conversion efficiency; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2022.09.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A new natural convection hybrid air-fin heat sink cooling method is conducted for bifacial PV modules in this paper, which is comprised of grid, grid-fin joints and fins with high thermal conductivity. With this cooling method, the heat of bifacial PV cells can transfer through the grid, grid-fin joints and fins to environment air, so the effect of the low thermal conductivity of back glass panel can be relieved. Highlights: Fins with high thermal conductivity are used to cool bifacial PV modules. Non-embedded and embedded fins are developed for bifacial PV modules. Best maximum temperature drop of 13.6 ℃ can be acquired by embedded fins. Best fin height is 60 mm for the structural stability and convenient installation. Power conversion efficiency can be increased by 4.4% in Dubai with embedded fins. Abstract: The air cooling method for bifacial PV modules is highly significant for PV power station, especially when the environmental wind speed is low, as the high temperature of bifacial PV modules will reduce the power conversion efficiency and lifetime. In this paper, a new concise and convenient air cooling method (natural convection hybrid air-fin heat sink cooling method) for the bifacial PV module is developed, which uses fins with high thermal conductivity material to achieve passive cooling of the bifacial PV module. The results show that bifacial PV modules coupled with natural convection hybrid air-fin heat sink cooling method can decrease the maximum and average temperatures in subtropic climate(Dubai) and temperate climate(Harbin). For the bifacial PV module with high thermal conductivity embedded fins in Dubai, the best temperature drops of 13.6 K and 11.9 K can be acquired for the maximum and average temperatures, respectively. The best fin height is 60 mm by considering the structural stability and convenient installation, and the best thermal conductivity of non-embedded or embedded fins is around 200 W/(m K). The power conversion efficiency improvement of 4.4 % can be achieved when high thermal conductivity embedded fins are applied for the bifacial PV module.