Heat transfer modeling and temperature experiments of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

•The time-dependent heat transfer model was created using COMSOL Multiphysics.•The thermal behavior of the implemented module during operation was simulated.•The thermal performance of three photovoltaic modules was measured.•The temperature uniform and heat dispersion of modules were compared. In t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSolar energy Vol. 146; pp. 257 - 263
Main Authors Du, Ying, Tao, Wusong, Liu, Yafeng, Jiang, Jianhui, Huang, Haisheng
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2017
Pergamon Press Inc
Subjects
COMSOL Multiphysics
Crystal structure
Crystallinity
Dispersion
Glass-glass photovoltaic module
Heat
Heat sources
Heat transfer
Heat transfer model
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaics
Silicon
Solar energy
Temperature distribution
Temperature gradients
Temperature test
Thermodynamic properties
Time dependence
Heat transfer model
COMSOL Multiphysics
Glass-glass photovoltaic module
Temperature test
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Summary:•The time-dependent heat transfer model was created using COMSOL Multiphysics.•The thermal behavior of the implemented module during operation was simulated.•The thermal performance of three photovoltaic modules was measured.•The temperature uniform and heat dispersion of modules were compared. In this study, the time-dependent thermal performance of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules with glass-glass (GG) and glass-back sheet (GB) configurations were investigated. A heat transfer model for PV modules was created in COMSOL Multiphysics environment, to illustrate the time dependent thermal behavior of the implemented module during operation. A thorough understanding of the heat sources, temperature distribution, as well as the performance of heat dispersion and temperature uniform by the solar module in operation was presented with colorful maps, graphs and temperature difference between different locations within PV module. All the analysis leading to the conclusions that the GG modules has a better temperature uniform and heat dispersion performance with respect to GB module although GG module undertakes a slightly higher temperature. However, the temperature of GG module can also be reduced by choosing proper encapsulate and protective covers.
ISSN:0038-092X
1471-1257
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2017.02.049