Naslov
Analysis of novel passive cooling strategies for free-standing silicon photovoltaic panels

Autori
Nižetić, Sandro ; Marinić Kragić, Ivo ; Grubišić Čabo, Filip ; Papadopoulos, Agis ; Xie, Gongnan

Izvornik
Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry (1388-6150) 161 (2020), 1; 163-175

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
photovoltaics ; passive cooling ; energy efficiency ; renewable energy ; numerical analysis.

Sažetak
Silicon based photovoltaic (PV) panels are sensitive to operating temperatures especially during exposure to high solar irradiation levels. The sensitivity of PV panels is reflected through the reductions in photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency (electrical efficiency) and in PV panel lifetime due to cyclic caused thermal fatigue. In this study, different and novel passive cooling strategies were proposed and numerically investigated for the case of 50 W market available free-standing silicon PV panels. The focus of the research was to examine the effect of the proposed modifications on the temperatures of the specific PV panel layers as well as on the velocity contours. The used numerical model was upgraded and based on a previously developed numerical model that was validated through an experimental manner. Three different passive cooling scenarios were numerically investigated, and the most promising one was the case that the PV panel was provided with slits through the front PV panel surface resulting in a reduction of about 4°C for the PV panel operating temperature. The other examined cases proved to be less effective with the detected temperature reduction being less than 1.0°C. The consideration of novel PV panel frame materials was found to be a viable possibility. It was also found that all the proposed modifications can generally lead to the performance improvement of the PV panels and reduce the materials spent on the production of commercial PV panels.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Strojarstvo, Temeljne tehničke znanosti

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