Thermal performance analysis of a poly c-Si PV module under semi-arid conditions
Ibtissam Lamaamar, Amine Tilioua, Moulay Ahmed Hamdi Alaoui
Abstract
The performance of the photovoltaic (PV) module decreases as the PV module temperature increases. To improve the electrical performance, the PV module must be cooled by removing heat in some way. In this paper, the thermal performance of a PV module has been examined by using a two-dimensional thermal model based on the finite volume method. The radiative transfer is calculated using the discrete ordinate method. The effect of front and back sheets on the temperature distribution of the PV module was studied. The obtained results show that the PV module temperature reaches the maximum value 63.4 °C. The temperature difference between the front and the PV cells is 0.5 °C and, between the PV cells and the back side is 1.1 °C. The glass front layer of the PV module presents a better efficiency compared to the PMMA front layer. By increasing the thickness of the glass from 0.003 m to 0.004 m and the thickness of the aluminum back sheet from 0.0005 m to 0.002 m, the PV cells temperature decreased.