Speaker
Description
Efficient thermal management of low concentrator photovoltaic (LCPV) modules ensures that the maximum power capabilities of the LCPV system are harnessed, and may substantially prolong the operating lifetime of the photovoltaic (PV) cells. A general understanding of the thermal transfer properties of PV modules is thus necessary to effectively design, construct, and implement viable LCPV systems. A basic thermal model based on one-dimensional heat transfer was developed and includes various energy dissipation mechanisms, such as convection and radiation. Panel fans were used to simulate air flow across the surface of the PV module and temperature measurements of the front and back surface of the PV module were recorded to analyse energy dissipation in accordance with the basic thermal model. Initial results indicate that 50% of the incoming irradiance is dissipated through convection and radiation. Optical losses will also be incurred through reflection from the surface of the PV module. The basic thermal model manages to account for most of the energy incident on a PV module, and thus effectively illustrates the principle of energy conservation within the PV system.
| Level (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, other)? | MSc |
|---|---|
| Consider for a student <br> award (Yes / No)? | Yes |
| Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)? | No |
