Optimizing Solar PV Panel Performance Through Phase Change Material Cooling: An Experimental Study
| International Journal of Mechanical Engineering |
| © 2024 by SSRG - IJME Journal |
| Volume 11 Issue 8 |
| Year of Publication : 2024 |
| Authors : Sachin Prabhakar Badgujar, Cheruku Sandesh Kumar, Hemant Krishnarao Wagh |
10.14445/23488360/IJME-V11I8P104
How to Cite?
Sachin Prabhakar Badgujar, Cheruku Sandesh Kumar, Hemant Krishnarao Wagh, "Optimizing Solar PV Panel Performance Through Phase Change Material Cooling: An Experimental Study," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 32-38, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V11I8P104
Abstract:
Solar PV panels harness sunlight and transform it into electricity. However, increased temperature caused by solar radiation might reduce the production and performance of these panels. In order to hit this problem, paraffin, as a material with phase changes was used for cooling. This PCM has a significant latent heat capacity for melting and developing consolidation; therefore being effective in preserving the heat exchange between the incorporation of PCM in these structures helps manage the temperature by absorbing and releasing energy during the melting and solidification. Experimental approaches were utilized to examine the total thermal oversight and efficiency enhancement of photovoltaic panel conditioning using this PCM. A comparison to the traditional air circulating approach indicated that the recommended PV panel decreased the panel temperature by about 11.5°C. The overall performance improvement of the panel with phase change material implementation was almost 3%. The research investigation on the application of phase change materials for lowering solar photovoltaic temperature revealed positive findings, notably significant improvements in both electricity production and efficiency. This innovative technology has been proven active in reducing the operating warmness of solar photovoltaic panels within the 35 to 40°C range, which results in improved efficiency and a greater life span of the panels. By utilizing PCM for cooling purposes, researchers have demonstrated its potential to enhance overall energy production and sustainability in solar power systems.
Keywords:
Phase change material, Photovoltaic panel, Solar photovoltaic, PCM, Performance.
References:
[1] Ahmet Sari, and Kamil Kaygusuz, “Thermal Energy Storage System Using Some Fatty Acids as Latent Heat Energy Storage Materials,” Energy Sources, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 275-285, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] A. Akbarzadeh, and T. Wadowski, “Heat Pipe-Based Cooling Systems for Photovoltaic Cells Under Concentrated Solar Radiation,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 81-87, 1996.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Ali H.A. Al-Waeli et al., “Modeling and Experimental Validation of a PVT System Using Nanofluid Coolant and Nano-PCM,” Solar Energy, vol. 177, pp. 178-191, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] S. Anand et al., “An Experimental Study on Thermal Management of Concentrated Photovoltaic Cell Using Loop Heat Pipe and Heat Sink,” Heat Transfer, vol. 48, no. 6, pp. 2456-2477, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] M. Chandrasekar et al., “Passive Cooling of Standalone Flat PV Module with Cotton Wick Structures,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 71, pp. 43-50, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Senthil Kumar Marudaipillai et al., “Experimental Study on Thermal Management and Performance Improvement of Solar PV Panel Cooling Using form Stable Phase Change Material,” Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 160-177, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Ahmad Hasan et al., “Energy and Cost Saving of a Photovoltaic-Phase Change Materials (PV-PCM) System through Temperature Regulation and Performance Enhancement of Photovoltaics,” Energies, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1318-1331, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] M.J. Huang, P.C. Eames, and B. Norton, “Thermal Regulation of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Using Phase Change Materials,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 47, no. 12-13, pp. 2715-2733, 2004.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] V. Karthikeyan et al., “Reducing PV Module Temperature with Radiation Based PV Module Incorporating Composite Phase Change Material,” Journal of Energy Storage, vol. 29, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Murat Kenisarin et al., “Enhancing Thermal Conductivity of Paraffin Wax 53-57° C Using Expanded Graphite,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 200, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Sourav Khanna, K.S. Reddy, and Tapas K. Mallick, “Optimization of Finned Solar Photovoltaic Phase Change Material (Finned PV PCM) System,” International Journal of Thermal Sciences, vol. 130, pp. 313-322, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Stephen J. Kline, “Describing Uncertainties in Single-Sample Experiments,” Mechanical Engineering, vol. 75, pp. 1-8, 1963.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Rebecca Lindsey, and Luann Dahlman, Climate Change: Global Temperature, pp. 1-5, 2020.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Zigeng Luo et al., “Numerical and Experimental Study on Temperature Control of Solar Panels with Form-Stable Paraffin/Expanded Graphite Composite PCM,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 149, pp. 416-423, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] P. Manoj Kumar, K. Mylsamy, and P.T. Saravanakumar, “Experimental Investigations on Thermal Properties of Nano-Sio2/Paraffin Phase Change Material (PCM) for Solar Thermal Energy Storage Applications,” Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, vol. 42, no. 19, pp. 2420-2433, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] S.A. Nada, and D.H. El-Nagar, “Possibility of Using PCMs in Temperature Control and Performance Enhancements of Free Stand and Building Integrated PV Modules,” Renewable Energy, vol. 127, pp. 630-641, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Change, IPCC Climate, “Mitigation of Climate Change,” Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1454, vol. 147, pp. 1-2, 2014.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Kinga Pielichowska, and Krzysztof Pielichowski, “Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage,” Progress in Materials Science, vol. 65, pp. 67-123, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] M. Rajvikram et al., “Experimental Investigation on the Abasement of Operating Temperature in Solar Photovoltaic Panel Using PCM and Aluminium,” Solar Energy, vol. 188, pp. 327-338, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] M.R. Salem et al., “Performance Enhancement of the Photovoltaic Cells Using Al2O3/PCM Mixture and/or Water Cooling-Techniques,” Renewable Energy, vol. 138, pp. 876-890, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Ashish Saxena et al., “Laboratory Based Experimental Investigation of Photovoltaic (PV) Thermo-Control with Water and its Proposed Real-Time Implementation,” Renewable Energy, vol. 115, pp. 128-138, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] M. Senthilkumar et al., “Characterization of Form-Stable Phase-Change Material for Solar Photovoltaic Cooling,” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, vol. 141, pp. 2487-2496, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Christopher J. Smith, Piers M. Forster, and Rolf Crook, “Global Analysis of Photovoltaic Energy Output Enhanced by Phase Change Material Cooling,” Applied Energy, vol. 126, pp. 21-28, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Rok Stropnik, and Uroš Stritih “Increasing the Efficiency of PV Panel with the use of PCM,” Renewable Energy, vol. 97, pp. 671-679, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] G.M. Tina et al., “Optical and Thermal Behavior of Submerged Photovoltaic Solar Panel: SP2,” Energy, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 17-26, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] H.X. Yang, R.H. Marshall, and B.J. Brinkworth, “Validated Simulation for Thermal Regulation of Photovoltaic Wall Structures,” Conference Record of the Twenty Fifth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference-1996, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 1453-1456, 1996.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Akira Usami et al., “Temperature Dependence of Open-Circuit Voltage in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 93, no. 6-7, pp. 840-842, 2009.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] B.J. Brinkworth, R.H. Marshall, and Z. Ibarahim, “A Validated Model of Naturally Ventilated PV Cladding,” Solar Energy, vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 67-81, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Meriem Nouira, and Habib Sammouda, “Numerical Study of an Inclined Photovoltaic System Coupled with Phase Change Material Under Various Operating Conditions,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 141, pp. 958-975, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] M. Fossa, C. Ménézo, and E. Leonardi, “Experimental Natural Convection on Vertical Surfaces for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Applications,” Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 980-990, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Geun Young Yun, Mike McEvoy, and Koen Steemers, “Design and Overall Energy Performance of a Ventilated Photovoltaic Façade,” Solar Energy, vol. 81, no. 3, pp. 383-394, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] W.G. Anderson et al., “Heat Pipe Cooling of Concentrating Photovoltaic Cells,” 33 rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, San Diego, CA, USA, pp. 1-6, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Maria Brogren, and Bjorn Karlsson, “Low-Concentrating Water-Cooled PV-Thermal Hybrid Systems for High Latitudes,” Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, pp. 1733-1736, 2002.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Stefan Krauter, “Increased Electrical Yield via Water Flow over the Front of Photovoltaic Panels,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 82, no. 1-2, pp. 131-137, 2004.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Earle Wilson, “Theoretical and Operational Thermal Performance of a ‘Wet’ Crystalline Silicon PV Module under Jamaican Conditions,” Renewable Energy, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 1655-1660, 2009.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] J.K. Tonui, and Y. Tripanagnostopoulos, “Improved PV/T Solar Collectors with Heat Extraction by Forced or Natural Air Circulation,” Renewable Energy, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 623-637, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[37] Ahmed Hasan et al., “Evaluation of Phase Change Materials for Thermal Regulation Enhancement of Building Integrated Photovoltaics,” Solar Energy, vol. 84, no. 9, pp. 1601-1612, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[38] M.J. Huang et al., “Natural Convection in an Internally Finned Phase Change Material Heat Sink for the Thermal Management of Photovoltaics,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 95, no. 7, pp. 1598-1603, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[39] Subarna Maiti et al., “Self Regulation of Photovoltaic Module Temperature in V-Trough Using a Metal–Wax Composite Phase Change Matrix,” Solar Energy, vol. 85, no. 9, pp. 1805-1816, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[40] Lip Pong Tan, “Passive Cooling of Concentrated Solar Cells Using Phase Change Material Thermal Storage,” Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, RMIT University, pp. 1-227, 2013.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[41] A. Karthick, K. Kalidasa Murugavel, and P. Ramanan, “Performance Enhancement of a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Module Using Phase Change Material,” Energy, vol. 142, pp. 803-812, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[42] Pascal Henry Biwole, Pierre Eclache, and Frederic Kuznik, “Phase-Change Materials to Improve Solar Panel's Performance,” Energy and Buildings, vol. 62, pp. 59-67, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[43] Jungwoo Park, Taeyeon Kim, and Seung-Bok Leigh, “Application of a Phase-Change Material to Improve the Electrical Performance of Vertical-Building-Added Photovoltaics Considering the Annual Weather Conditions,” Solar Energy, vol. 105, pp. 561-574, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[44] Maurizio Cellura et al., “A Photovoltaic Panel Coupled with a Phase Changing Material Heat Storage System in Hot Climates,” PLEA 2008-Towards Zero Energy Building: 25th PLEA International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Conference Proceedings, pp. 1-13, 2008.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]