A new fractional Cattaneo model for enhancing the thermal performance of Photovoltaic panels using heat spreader: Energy, exergy, economic and enviroeconomic (4E) analysis

Abstract

A new fractional non-Fourier (Cattaneo) photovoltaic (PV) model is developed to improve the thermal performance of a PV system combined with a heat spreader (HS). In contrast to the traditional Fourier model, which is unable to reliably predict system performance, the fractional Cattaneo model proves its efficiency in looking at transient processes throughout the entire PV system. It can also accurately expect PV performance even at short temporal scales. Consequently, a comparison is conducted between the classical Fourier model with the fractional Fourier and fractional Cattaneo models for the PV system. Real experimental data are used to validate the fractional Cattaneo model. The findings show that it perfectly matches the measured data, with an error percentage in PV power and exergy efficiency of only 0.628% and 3.84%, respectively, compared to 5.72% and 13.13% resulted from the classical model. An assessment of the effect of using rectangular and trapezoidal spreaders on output power, electrical efficiency, exergy efficiency, economic, exergoeconomic, and enviroeconomic parameters is introduced and discussed. The outcomes revealed that the electrical production costs of the rectangular and trapezoidal HS systems are 0.272 and 0.214 $/kWh, respectively, while about 0.286 $/kWh for the conventional PV panel. Finally, the findings show that the modified PV systems with the spreader are liked to be greener than the conventional ones.