Performance evaluation of a folded mini-channel heat sink for solar cell cooling: Experimental study

Abstract

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.