2023ICERD8-C25 -- A Cooling System for Enhanced Solar Module Efficiency PDF

As the temperature rises above 25°C, the efficiency of a crystalline photovoltaic module decreases by around 0.5% per 1°C increase. The purpose of this study is to develop a passive cooling system for a crystalline photovoltaic module to reclaim its lost efficiency at high temperatures, whilst not negatively affecting it during diurnal or seasonal temperature variations. The study was done numerically using COMSOL Multiphysics® software of the proposed passive cooling system. The cooling method chosen is a hybrid arrangement of two layers of phase change material with two different melting temperatures and fins. The parameters of concern are the melting temperature of the PCM chosen, the amount of PCM, the profile and distribution of the fins, the thermal conductivity of the fins and PCM, and the efficiency of the overall cooling system. The results of the numerical analysis proved the cooling method to be successful in lowering the temperature of the panel, year-round.