Energy and Cost Saving of a Photovoltaic-Phase Change Materials (PV-PCM) System through Temperature Regulation and Performance Enhancement of Photovoltaics

Energies

Ahmad Hasan³  Sarah Josephine McCormack²  Ming Jun Huang¹ 

[1] Centre for Sustainable Technologies, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey BT370QB, UK; E-Mail:;Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; E-Mail:;College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, Unite Arab Emirates (UAE)

关键词: phase change materials;    photovoltaics;    energy savings;    cost saving;    temperature regulation;    performance enhancement;   

DOI  :  10.3390/en7031318

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The current research seeks to maintain high photovoltaic (PV) efficiency and increased operating PV life by maintaining them at a lower temperature. Solid-liquid phase change materials (PCM) are integrated into PV panels to absorb excess heat by latent heat absorption mechanism and regulate PV temperature. Electrical and thermal energy efficiency analysis of PV-PCM systems is conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in two different climates. Finally costs incurred due to inclusion of PCM into PV system and the resulting benefits are discussed in this paper. The results show that such systems are financially viable in higher temperature and higher solar radiation environment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.