Analysis of PV panels thermal control under different PCM properties

Abstract

PCM thermo-fluid properties are significant in the cooling process, so researchers studied many types of PCMs. The integration of PCM in the PV active cooling technique increases the efficiency of the cooling system. The current study focuses on the selection of the PCM, which is integrated as a heat source for the active device. PCM melting temperatures and latent heat control the amount of heat transferred from PV panels, which affect the PV panels' output. So, the selection of a suitable PCM with suitable characteristics will increase the cooling system's efficiency. The analysis of simulation results to optimize the best PCM characteristics found that the RT25 PCM presents maximum PV output power and minimizes PV panel temperature. Otherwise, the best PV panel performance is achieved when the PCM melting temperature is close to the ambient air temperature and the PCM solidification temperature is close to the water flow temperature.