Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency

Andrew H. Rosenthal; Bruna P. Gonçalves; J. A. Beckwith; Rohit Gulati; Marc D. Compere; Sandra K. S. Boetcher

doi:10.1115/IMECE2015-50650

Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency

Andrew H. Rosenthal, Bruna P. Gonçalves, J. A. Beckwith, Rohit Gulati, Marc D. Compere, Sandra K. S. Boetcher

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach

Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of phase-change material (PCM) for temperature regulation of a rack-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel. PV panels exhibit a significant decrease in electrical efficiency as temperature trends higher. Current PV panels are approximately 10–16% efficient at harnessing incident solar irradiation into effective electrical power. The remaining solar irradiation that is not converted to electricity will heat the PV panel and decrease efficiency. Using PCM for temperature regulation and temporary heat storage in photovoltaic/thermal systems (PVT) is an emerging technology that has attracted attention recently. The PCM absorbs heat and regulates peak temperature, which allows the PV panel to operate at lower temperatures during peak solar conditions. Further, the waste heat stored in the PCM can be used for other applications. The main focus of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the heat dissipation of four different PCM containment configurations from a simulated PV panel.

Original language	American English
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2015-50650
State	Published - Nov 13 2015
Externally published	Yes
Event	ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition - Houston, Texas, USA Duration: Nov 13 2015 → …

Conference

Conference	ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
Period	11/13/15 → …

Keywords

Phase change materials
Solar energy

Disciplines

Energy Systems

Access to Document

10.1115/IMECE2015-50650License: Unspecified

Cite this

@conference{3ef7673401f34a748827528124da5d71,

title = "Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency",

abstract = " This paper investigates the use of phase-change material (PCM) for temperature regulation of a rack-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel. PV panels exhibit a significant decrease in electrical efficiency as temperature trends higher. Current PV panels are approximately 10–16% efficient at harnessing incident solar irradiation into effective electrical power. The remaining solar irradiation that is not converted to electricity will heat the PV panel and decrease efficiency. Using PCM for temperature regulation and temporary heat storage in photovoltaic/thermal systems (PVT) is an emerging technology that has attracted attention recently. The PCM absorbs heat and regulates peak temperature, which allows the PV panel to operate at lower temperatures during peak solar conditions. Further, the waste heat stored in the PCM can be used for other applications. The main focus of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the heat dissipation of four different PCM containment configurations from a simulated PV panel. ",

keywords = "Phase change materials, Solar energy",

author = "Rosenthal, {Andrew H.} and Gon{\c c}alves, {Bruna P.} and Beckwith, {J. A.} and Rohit Gulati and Compere, {Marc D.} and Boetcher, {Sandra K. S.}",

year = "2015",

month = nov,

day = "13",

doi = "10.1115/IMECE2015-50650",

language = "American English",

note = "ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition ; Conference date: 13-11-2015",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency

AU - Rosenthal, Andrew H.

AU - Gonçalves, Bruna P.

AU - Beckwith, J. A.

AU - Gulati, Rohit

AU - Compere, Marc D.

AU - Boetcher, Sandra K. S.

PY - 2015/11/13

Y1 - 2015/11/13

N2 - This paper investigates the use of phase-change material (PCM) for temperature regulation of a rack-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel. PV panels exhibit a significant decrease in electrical efficiency as temperature trends higher. Current PV panels are approximately 10–16% efficient at harnessing incident solar irradiation into effective electrical power. The remaining solar irradiation that is not converted to electricity will heat the PV panel and decrease efficiency. Using PCM for temperature regulation and temporary heat storage in photovoltaic/thermal systems (PVT) is an emerging technology that has attracted attention recently. The PCM absorbs heat and regulates peak temperature, which allows the PV panel to operate at lower temperatures during peak solar conditions. Further, the waste heat stored in the PCM can be used for other applications. The main focus of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the heat dissipation of four different PCM containment configurations from a simulated PV panel.

AB - This paper investigates the use of phase-change material (PCM) for temperature regulation of a rack-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panel. PV panels exhibit a significant decrease in electrical efficiency as temperature trends higher. Current PV panels are approximately 10–16% efficient at harnessing incident solar irradiation into effective electrical power. The remaining solar irradiation that is not converted to electricity will heat the PV panel and decrease efficiency. Using PCM for temperature regulation and temporary heat storage in photovoltaic/thermal systems (PVT) is an emerging technology that has attracted attention recently. The PCM absorbs heat and regulates peak temperature, which allows the PV panel to operate at lower temperatures during peak solar conditions. Further, the waste heat stored in the PCM can be used for other applications. The main focus of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the heat dissipation of four different PCM containment configurations from a simulated PV panel.

KW - Phase change materials

KW - Solar energy

UR - https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2015-50650

U2 - 10.1115/IMECE2015-50650

DO - 10.1115/IMECE2015-50650

M3 - Presentation

T2 - ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

Y2 - 13 November 2015

ER -

Phase-Change Material to Thermally Regulate Photovoltaic Panels to Improve Solar to Electric Efficiency

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Disciplines

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