Energy saving and performance analysis of air‐cooled photovoltaic panels
Wisam K. Hussam, Ali M. Khlefat, Gregory J. Sheard
Abstract
The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells is known to degrade with temperature, which limits their efficacy in the many regions around the world having a climate featuring high ambient temperatures. This study reports on field experiments supported by numerical modelling using Ansys steady-state thermal solver that demonstrates improved PV cell performance when coupled with a passive natural-convection-driven heat sink. Heat sink fin spacing was optimized for hot climatic conditions. Experiments were conducted on a pair of PV modules, one fitted with the heat sink, the other serving as a control. Temperature data were acquired at 15 minute intervals from 6.00 am to 5.30 pm at both the front and rear of the modules. The heat sink respectively improved solar-to-electrical conversion efficiency and power output by 35% and almost 55%, and led to panel temperature reductions of up to 4°C and 3°C.