Analytical Model and Experimental Validation of the Heat Transfer and the Induced Flow in a PV Cooling Duct in Environmental Conditions

Abstract

This paper describes a model to account for the heat transfer and the convective flow induced in the interior of a channel inclined 35° with respect to the horizontal, formed by a photovoltaic panel and an adiabatic plate. The model developed is validated experimentally by measurements made on an experimental prototype. The solar installation consists of two photovoltaic panels integrated with air ducts on the top of a building in southern Spain. The objective is to determine the temperature reached by the photovoltaic module in this configuration. This model considers the processes of heat transfer by radiation and convection on the outside for several atmospheric conditions (wind speed, ambient temperature and incident radiation) and for different geometrical and physical characteristics of the PV cooling duct (plate area, module performance, emission and absorption coefficients). Good agreement has been obtained between the experimental data and the results of this model.

Analysis of photovoltaic arrays efficiency for reduction of building cooling load in hot climates

“…38 Many protection layers have been developed to reduce the heat transfer of buildings. 39,40 The areas with high irradiance require a shading surface to protect the walls and roof from the heat of solar energy. 41,42 PV can be used to provide this shading for the buildings.…”