Experimental Investigations for Performance Improvement of Solar Cell using Phase Change Material

Abstract

In this research paper, an initial trial has been carried out to investigate the performance enhancement of solar cells using phase change material (PCM). The performance enhancement was judged by the virtue of open circuit voltage (OCV) and power output analysis. Two monocrystalline solar cells have been used to support the initial claim, where one cell has been cooled with the help of PCM while the second one was left to the ambient conditions. The key parameter involved and measured in the present study were solar irradiance, solar cell temperature, OCV, and output power. The OCVs and power outputs of both solar cells were compared with one another. A significant improvement has been observed in both OCV and power of the cooled solar cell as compared to the uncooled one. This study provides a foundation to investigate the power enhancement of solar cells further by using other effective cooling techniques.