Numerical analysis on the thermal characteristics of photovoltaic module with ambient temperature variation

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 95; no. 1; pp. 404 - 407
• Main Authors: Kim, Jong Pil, Lim, Ho, Song, Ju Hun, Chang, Young June, Jeon, Chung Hwan
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; Photoelectric conversion; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaic module; Simulation; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Thermal characteristics; Simulation; Thermal characteristics; Photovoltaic module; Thermal characteristic; Photovoltaic array; System simulation; Thermophotovoltaic device; Numerical method; Temperature fluctuation; Room temperature
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.05.016

A silicon photovoltaic module converts sunlight energy into electricity applying the photovoltaic effect of the semiconductor. But the performance of PV module is affected by ambient temperature. It is well known that the power and efficiency of PV module usually falls at a rate of ∼0.5%/°C and ∼0.05%/°C, respectively as increase of ambient temperature. In this study, the thermal characteristics of a PV module by change of ambient temperature from −25 °C in minimum to 50 °C in maximum is investigated through a thermal analysis simulation program. In the end, a simulation method to attach fins to the backside of PV module is discussed. This work shows the comparison of the thermal characteristics between a PV module with and without fins.