Experimental Investigation of Hybrid PCM–Finned Thermal Management System for Improving Photovoltaic Panel Performance
Abstract
The operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules is an important parameter which affecting their electrical performance and energy conversion efficiency. Under high solar irradiance, a substantial portion of the incident solar radiation is converted into heat, resulting in an increase in PV module temperature and reduction in electrical output. Phase change materials (PCMs) provide a passive method for thermal regulation by absorbing heat through latent heat storage during phase transition. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity of many PCMs can restrict heat transfer and reduce the effective utilization of the stored latent heat. The incorporation of aluminium fins provides an effective method of enhancing heat transfer within the PCM. The present study experimentally investigates the influence of aluminium fin spacing on the thermal and electrical performance of a PCM-integrated photovoltaic panel under variable solar irradiance conditions. Three fin-spacing configurations are proposed while maintaining constant PV module characteristics, PCM type, PCM mass, fin material and fin dimensions. A conventional PV panel and PCM-integrated PV configurations are used as reference cases. Solar irradiance, ambient temperature, PV surface temperature, PCM temperature, voltage and current are measured simultaneously during the experiments.
Electrical power and conversion efficiency are calculated from the measured electrical parameters. The temperature reduction, power improvement and cumulative energy generation are evaluated for the different fin-spacing configurations. The experimental results are intended to establish the influence of fin spacing on heat transfer between the photovoltaic module and PCM and to identify a suitable fin arrangement for passive thermal management. The study provides an experimentally based approach for improving PV performance through optimization of PCM-assisted conductive heat transfer without continuous auxiliary cooling power.