A Review of Heat Batteries Based PV Module Cooling—Case Studies on Performance Enhancement of Large-Scale Solar PV System

Several studies have concentrated on cooling the PV module temperature (TPV) to enhance the system’s electrical output power and efficiency in recent years. In this review study, PCM-based cooling techniques are reviewed majorly classified into three techniques: (i) incorporating raw/pure PCM behind...

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Published inSustainability Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 1963
Main Authors Velmurugan, Karthikeyan, Elavarasan, Rajvikram Madurai, De, Pham Van, Karthikeyan, Vaithinathan, Korukonda, Tulja Bhavani, Dhanraj, Joshuva Arockia, Emsaeng, Kanchanok, Chowdhury, Md. Shahariar, Techato, Kuaanan, El Khier, Bothaina Samih Abou, Attia, El-Awady
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2022
Subjects
Additives
Alternative energy sources
Cooling
Efficiency
Energy resources
Groundwater
Heat
Heat transfer
Literature reviews
Melt temperature
Payback periods
Radiation
Sustainability
Thermal conductivity
Thermal energy
Thermophysical properties
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Summary:Several studies have concentrated on cooling the PV module temperature (TPV) to enhance the system’s electrical output power and efficiency in recent years. In this review study, PCM-based cooling techniques are reviewed majorly classified into three techniques: (i) incorporating raw/pure PCM behind the PV module is one of the most straightforward techniques; (ii) thermal additives such as inter-fin, nano-compound, expanded graphite (EG), and others are infused in PCM to enhance the heat transfer rate between PV module and PCM; and (iii) thermal collectors that are placed behind the PV module or inside the PCM container to minimize the PCM usage. Advantageously, these techniques favor reusing the waste heat from the PV module. Further, in this study, PCM thermophysical properties are straightforwardly discussed. It is found that the PCM melting temperature (Tmelt) and thermal conductivity (KPCM) become the major concerns in cooling the PV module. Based on the literature review, experimentally proven PV-PCM temperatures are analyzed over a year for UAE and Islamabad locations using typical meteorological year (TMY) data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) data source in 1 h frequency.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su14041963