Modelling and Dynamic Numerical Simulation of the Performance of Photovoltaic Modules by Passive Cooling Techniques

The present study numerically simulates and analyses the combined influence of fin number ( n ) and inclination ( β ) on the performance of the PV module using a longitudinal finned PV-PCM system. Five different system geometries with no fin to four fins are considered with inclinations 0° to 45° in steps of 15° to obtain different configurations of the PV-PCM system. Performance parameters such as temperature, efficiency, the power output of PV module and mean velocity, convection patterns, temperature contours are simulated for all the configurations. It is found that maximum temperature reduction is obtained for the three-finned system with β = 45°. The inclusion of fin is relatively effective when PV-PCM is at β = 0° compared to other inclinations. The lowest instantaneous average PV temperature, 50.23 °C is obtained for the three-finned PV-PCM system at β = 45°. The peak average velocity is highest for unfinned PV-PCM system with an inclination angle of 45° indicating the presence highest strength of convection current. The highest instantaneous PV electrical power output of 162.87 W and the highest instantaneous PV efficiency of 8.4% are obtained for the three-finned PV-PCM system with 45° inclination compared to the unfinned system