Numerical Investigation of the Optimization of PV-System Performances Using a Composite PCM-Metal Matrix for PV-Solar Panel Cooling System

Abstract

During the conversion of solar photovoltaic energy, the heat generated raises the temperature and results in reduced electricity conversion efficiency of the system. As the operating temperature plays a great role in the photovoltaic conversion process, cooling the operating surface is a key factor to consider in achieving higher efficiency. Numerical investigation using composite phase change materials (PCMs) in photovoltaic-cooling (PV-cooling) system was adopted in this study. Selected materials such as CaCl2.6H2O, paraffin wax, RT25, RT27, SP29, n-octadecane were used as PCMs while copper, aluminium, steel, nickel, polystyrene, polychlorovinyl and polypropylene were used as composite(matrix) materials. A two-dimensional transient heat transfer model based on enthalpy approach developed by computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD-Ansys-Fluent software) was utilized for optimization and enhancing the energy conversion efficiency. The numerical results showed that RT25 sphere has good compatibility with PV-cooling system, and the thermal conductivity barely had a significant value on PV-temperature for larger values, excepted for very low thermal conductivity materials such as plastics.