Temperature distribution and back sheet role of polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

A three dimensional thermal model for polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules was developed by finite element method. Based on the model, some effects of back sheet on temperature distribution of photovoltaic module were investigated by single factor analysis. Back sheet is an important factor on module heat dissipation and different materials of back sheet have significant impacts on module's temperature distribution. The results showed the solar cell in the module possessed the highest temperature of 325.23 K under standard test condition and the maximum temperature difference between EVA and cell was 1.10K. The highest module temperature linearly rose approximately with change rate of 0.82 K/mm when TPT back sheet thickness increased from 0.10 mm to 0.70 mm. Compared with TPT back sheet, back sheet made of aluminum alloy or tempered glass kept the module at lower temperature with thickness more than 0.50 mm. The aluminum alloy sheet performed best on heat dissipation and the highest module temperature scarcely changed within proper scope of thickness. The performance of photovoltaic modules can be improved by optimizing the back sheet. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.