Nano enhanced fluids and latent heat storage material for photovoltaic modules: A case study and parametric analysis

Abstract

Thermal stress causes reduction in the open circuit voltage of photovoltaic (PV) modules which results in a reduction in overall power generation. Photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collectors have been used to mitigate this issue by providing both cooling of the cell temperature and yielding thermal energy in the same space. However, the implementation of PV/T systems in the industry is still lacking and requires further innovative solutions to achieve higher electrical and thermal efficiencies. In this article, a case study experimental and parametric analysis of a PV/T system with nano-phase change material and nanofluid, as the heat transfer fluid, is presented. The system was tested in Bangi, Malaysia and the findings have been compared with previous studies in the literature. The findings of the evaluation show average and peak overall PV/T efficiencies of 61.6% and 77.8%, respectively. Moreover, the electrical efficiency of the PV and PV/T averaged at 9.9% and 13.1%, respectively. The main reason for the drop in the PV module was its average cell temperature which was around 45.6 C, while the PV/T's average cell temperature reached 39.2 C. Finally, the average thermal efficiency of the PV/T was around 48.5% when the mass flowrate was 0.175 kg/s.

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