Cooling of PV panels using a phase change material
Student name: Ms Divija Pandel
Guide: Dr Najmur Rahman
Year of completion: 2014
Host Organisation: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Prof. Praveen C Ramamurthy
Abstract: High solar cell temperature has always been a major concern as the exceeding operational
cell temperature will result in shorter cell life and can also cause permanent cell damage. For
this matter both active and passive cooling methods are being used to limit the temperature
rise. Passive cooling methods though being less effective are simpler and reliable than active
cooling methods. In this study a passive heat sink has been designed using a phase change
material (PCM) to improve upon the efficiency of a solar panel. The ability of PCMs to store
and release large amounts of heat energy in response to a small temperature change has
attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. The phase change material used in this
research is n-octadecane which is an organic based PCM.
The objective of the project is to study the effect on tedlar temperature of the solar panel with
and without the application of a PCM on the tedlar surface. A coupled PV/PCM system was
assembled in the laboratory and the experiments were carried out. Based on the temperature
profiles and I-V curve readings efficiency of the two panels was calculated and compared.
Prior to coupling PCM with the panel, experiments were carried out to encapsulate it as the
process improves the ease of handling PCM and its compatibility with the environment. The
proposed PV/PCM cooling system has the potential to maintain the solar cell temperature
within the working limit.
Keywords: Phase change materials (PCMs), Cell temperature, Efficiency
