A novel heat sink for cooling photovoltaic systems using convex/concave dimples and multiple PCMs

The operating temperature of a solar panel affects its electrical efficiency. As the temperature increases, the solar cell's ability to generate electricity decreases so cooling is required to improve its performance. In this study, a novel design of photovoltaic phase change materials (PV-PCMs) system is established. It consists of a separate convex/concave dimpled aluminum plate and multiple PCMs that act as a heat sink. In order to achieve longer thermal management of PVs, the PCMs were arranged along the heat flow direction according to the melting temperatures. The thermal and electrical performance of the PV-PCMs system was numerically analyzed at different inclination angles. The system was tested using different numbers of dimples (smooth, 6, 8, and 10 dimples) and multiple PCMs with different thicknesses (single PCM, two-PCMs:10-10 mm, two-PCMs:15-5 mm) to obtain the optimal design. The numerical model and the literature data agreed very well. The (two-PCMs:15-5 mm) arrangement with 8 dimples provides the longest uniform operating temperature duration and the highest PV electrical efficiency. The thermal management durations were 40, 30, and 25 min, during which the percentage decrease in PV cell temperature was 7.14, 4.65, and 2.22 % at an inclination angle of 90 degrees, 60 degrees, and 30 degrees, respectively, compared to the smooth wall with a single PCM. The novel design is recommended for future modeling of the PV-PCMs system.

Automated summary

A novel design of photovoltaic phase change materials (PV-PCMs) system is established to improve the thermal and electrical performance of solar panels. Numerical analysis and experimental testing were conducted to find the optimal design, which can enhance the operating temperature duration and electrical efficiency of the solar panel.