THE 3-D PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS WITH PCM AND FIN-BASED COOLING

Abstract

Photovoltaic cell efficiency is notably affected by temperature, with higher operating temperatures leading to significant drops in electrical performance. To mitigate this thermal drawback, the present study investigates a passive cooling approach that integrates PCM beneath photovoltaic modules. Exploiting the latent heat absorption during the PCM phase transition, the system effectively moderates panel temperature. Three system configurations are assessed: uncooled photovoltaic panels, photovoltaic panels equipped with PCM, and photovoltaic panels incorporating both PCM and fins for enhanced thermal dissipation. Key performance indicators, including cell temperature, electrical output, and PCM liquid fraction, are evaluated across the set-ups. Results demonstrate a marked reduction in panel temperature with the use ofPCM, while the addition offins further amplifies cooling efficiency and electrical performance.