Effect of the Phase Change Material’s Melting Point on the Thermal Behavior of a Concentrated Photovoltaic System in Tropical dry Climate
Abstract
In this work, we investigated temperature regulation of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) and thermal energy storage using solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) under tropical dry climatic conditions. A finite element based heat transfer model is developed that includes the optical behavior of incident irradiance, solar to electrical conversion and online calculation of heat loss coefficients. The model’s results are in good agreement (±3 oC) against indoor experimental results. The validated model is used to predict the thermal behavior of PV and CPV incorporating PCM by varying melting point (35 oC to 75 oC), ambient temperature (30 oC to 50 oC) and concentration ratio (2× - 4×). It is found that a PCM with melting temperature in the range of 45 oC to 65 oC is suitable for temperature regulation and thermal energy storage for a CPV system in a tropical dry climate for up to ~ 4×. The choice of an appropriate PCM in melting temperature range of 45 oC – 65 oC depends on energy utilization requirement. The overall efficiency of the CPV system with a PCM makes it an attractive choice for a CPV thermal application in a tropical dry climate.
Keywords
Phase change material, Concentrated photovoltaic, Finite element, Heat transfer