Thermal-Management Performance of Phase-Change Material on PV Modules in Different Climate Zones

Abstract

Phase-change material (PCM) can enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules by reducing their temperature and is widely studied for thermal management. However, their performance varies due to differences in local solar radiation and climate conditions. Previous studies have mainly focused on the thermal properties of PCM, but practical evaluation should consider specific local conditions. To investigate the thermal-management performance of PCMs in different zones and obtain optimal design parameters, this study investigated the temperature-control effect of PCMs on PV systems across different regions through experiments. The results revealed that the temperature-control performance of PCM was limited in cold regions. Furthermore, the study developed a PCM-PV model and employed response surface methodology along with an NSGA-II to analyze the temperature-control effectiveness of the PCM-PV system in nine regions of China. Pareto solutions were obtained for nine regions in China, balancing annual power generation and system costs. PCM effectiveness is limited in colder regions like Naqu, where it increases power generation by only 0.5%, while in other regions, it improves annual power generation by 1.4% to 3%, especially in areas with high temperatures and abundant solar resources. However, when considering life-cycle gains and initial investment, PCM technology may not always be economically efficient, highlighting the need for region-specific evaluations.