Investigation on Thermal Absorptivity of PCM Matrix Material for Photovoltaic Module Temperature Reduction

摘要

Photovoltaic (PV) system experience challenges from module temperature (T_(mod)) increasing particularly due to stagnation of thermal energy (TE) on its surface. Efforts to reduce the T_(mod) is widely experimented in many ways, like incorporating latent heat storage material (PCM) with PV module to reduce the T_(mod) through radiation and convection heat transfer. This paper focuses on selecting of an effective thermal absorption material for the fabrication of PCM matrix and optimization of the critical spacing between the PV module and PCM matrix. The thermal absorptivity of Aluminum (Al) and Copper (Cu) were analyzed with and without coated absorber at different spacing conditions. It was observed that Al tube matrix with coated absorber was absorbed 3.0 °C more than copper at 6 mm distance from module. Hence further studies on the T_(mod) reduction will be effective with the use of Al as PCM matrix tube.