Understanding Heat Dissipation Factors for Fixed-Tilt and Single-Axis Tracked Open-Rack Photovoltaic Modules: Experimental Insights

Abstract

This paper presents the results of long-term experiments conducted on fixed-tilt (FT) and single-axis tracked (SAT) open-rack photovoltaic (PV) modules in South Africa. Utilising Faiman's heat dissipation model and data filtering method, the study demonstrates favourable comparisons of FT experimental results with literature while yielding novel heat dissipation factors for SAT modules. Enhanced heat dissipation is observed in no/low wind conditions for SAT modules compared to FT modules. Analyses reveal the influence of plane-of-array (POA) irradiance, wind speed and direction on module temperature, with SAT modules exhibiting greater heat dissipation stability. An investigation into data filtering methods suggests minor sensitivity for both configurations, with a slightly more pronounced impact on SAT modules. Assessments comparing module temperature predictions using diverse heat dissipation factors for FT modules reveal negligible sensitivity. This suggests that exact heat dissipation factor values may not be crucial for accurate predictions of module temperature in FT open-rack systems. Annual power output simulations using PVsyst software demonstrate a 2.9% and 3.3% enhancement for FT and SAT configurations, respectively, when employing experimentally determined heat dissipation factors. These findings highlight the importance of realistic, configuration-specific heat dissipation factors in optimising PV system performance, particularly in the competitive context of modern PV power plant construction and techno-economic calculations.