PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS FOR

PHOTOVOLTAIC THERMAL MANAGEMENT

A Technical Seminar Report

Submitted in partial fulfillment of
the requirement for the 7th
semester B.Tech. Under Biju
Patnaik University of
Technology, Rourkela

SUBMITTED BY

Srinibash Behera
Regd. No.: 1601106604

Under the Guidance of

Prof. Dr. PRASANTA KUMAR SATAPATHY
Department of Mechanical Engineering

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, India
 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003, India

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the seminar work entitled ‘phase change materials for ‘Phase change
materials for photovoltaic thermal management’ is a bonafide work being done by
Srinibash Behera bearing Registration No.1601106604 of MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
branch.

This Seminar report is submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirement of the B. Tech
Degree under Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha.

Professor Dr. Prasanta Kumar Satapathy

(Seminar Guide)

Professor (Dr.) Ritanjali Sethy Prof. Dr. Ashok Mohanty

Professor (Dr.) Banamali Dalei (Head of Department)

(B. Tech Seminar Coordinator)

ABSTRACT

This comprehensive review discusses methods that have been used for the thermal
management of photovoltaic modules. Particular attention has been paid to the use of phase
change material (PCM) in the heat management of photovoltaic (PV), concentrating
photovoltaic (CPV) and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. Regulating the
temperature of PV systems comprised of crystalline silicon cells appears to be the most
economically viable use of PV/PCM systems, as increases in temperature have the most
detrimental effect on the efficiency of silicon solar cells compared to organic or thin film cells.
Studies have shown the use of PCM helps to improve the performance of PV although there is
still more to be explored and improved particularly the solidification and discharge of PCM.

Keywords: Photovoltaic; phase change material; solar thermal system;

concentration

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my immense sense of gratitude to my guide, Prof. (Dr.) Prasanta
Kumar Satapathy, for his valuable instructions, guidance and support throughout my seminar.

I again owe my special thanks to Prof. (Dr.) Ritanjali Sethy and Prof. (Dr.) Banamali Dalei,
Technical Seminar Coordinator for giving me an opportunity to do this report.

And finally, thanks to Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Mohanty, HOD, Mechanical for his continued drive
for better quality in everything that happens at CET. This report is a dedicated contribution
towards that greater goal.

SRINIBASH BEHERA
REGD. NO.: 1601106604
(MECHANICAL)

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….1

2. The Effect of Temperature on Different Photovoltaic Technologies.......................2-3

2.1 Viability of thermal management interventions…………………………….....4

3. Source of articles……………………………………………………………….....5
4. State of the art thermal management systems of pv………………………………5

4.1 Incorporation of PV in buildings……………………………………………….. 6

4.2 Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Systems…………………………………………..6
4.3 Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV)……………………………………………….6
5. Thermal management of PV using phase change material………………………. 7
5.1 Phase change materials (PCM)…………………………………………………..7-8
5.2 Thermal management of non-concentrating PV using PCM………………….....9-13
5.3 Thermal management of CPV using PCM………………………………………14-15
5.4 Hybrid PV/T PCM systems………………………………………………………15
6. Commercialization…………………………………………………………………15
6.1 Practical Use…………………………………………………………………….15-16

6.2 Economics of incorporating PCM with PV……………………………………………………………..17

7. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….18
8. References………………………………………………………………………….19

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LIST OF FIGURES

DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.

1 (a) Variation of Power with Voltage of a silicon solar cell ……………………… 2

(b) Variation of Power with voltage of a silicon panel temperature

2. Temperature dependence of Voc in DSSC………………………………………. 3

3. Efficiency Vs Temperature of dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC)………………… 4

4. Evolution of the number of studies since 1978 …………………………………... 5
5. Cross section of PV/T experimental models……………………………………………… 6
6. Graphical representation of the variation of stored heat of a PCM

with increasing temperature………………………………………………………… 8

7. Phase change material integrated with a photovoltaic model……………………… 9

8. Photographic image of melting front of PV/PCM system………………………….10

2 2
9. Results from experiments at (a) 750 W/m and (b) 1000W/m …………………...11
10. Heat exchange in a PV/PCM system modelled using COMSOL…………………………...12

11. Schematic of heat transfer in a PV/MEPCM module ………………………………………13

12. Experimental set-up of PV-PCM systems………………………………………………….14

13. Surface temperatures of reference PV and PV-PCM systems measured in………………….14

14. Illustration and image of ACPPVC integrated with PCM…………………………………....15

15. V-trough PV system with integrated metal-wax composite PCM …………………………...16
16. Illustrative ranges for thermal management and heat removal in a PV system……………...17

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 1. INTRODUCTION

Most solar radiation reaching a PV cell is converted not into electricity but into thermal
energy increasing the cell temperature. Temperature increases in photovoltaic (PV) modules
lead to immediate efficiency losses and can accelerate long-term degradation. Silicon PV
modules operated at elevated temperatures exhibit lower efficiency in converting solar
energy into electrical energy. Temperature elevation is inevitable when the rate of solar heat
gained by the PV is higher than the rate of heat lost to the ambient environment. A 1K
increase in crystalline silicon cell temperature typically decreases absolute conversion
efficiency by 0.08%, reducing power output by 0.45%. A 15K temperature rise thus reduces
power output by about 7%.

Concomitant with diurnal temperature cycling are small thermal expansions and
contractions of the cell that can progressively delaminate the cell’s encapsulation. Failure of
the lamination edge-seal can allow moisture ingress leading to corrosive cell failure. By
regulating the temperature rise of PV, physical breakdown due to cyclical temperature
changes may be delayed Both their immediate and long-term effects are particularly acute
where the rate of solar heat gain per PV unit area is increased when using concentrating
photovoltaic (CPV) devices. There is increasing interest in the use of phase change material
for the thermal management of PV which is evident in the recent rise in the number of
publications in the area. The aim of this paper is to collate and review the literature available
thereby identifying potential gaps in knowledge which can be further investigated to
improve the efficiency of PV technologies. This comprehensive review provides an up-to-
date source of research completed and undergoing in the field. Generic thermal management
techniques used to mitigate temperature increases are summarized in Table 1. Passive
cooling is often more viable economically compared to active cooling techniques as a pump
is not required obviating an energy demand for the cooling system.

Table 1: Techniques for cooling PV systems

2. THE EFFECT OF TEMP. ON DIFFERENT PHOTOVOLATIC

TECHNOLOGY

1
 Crystalline silicon solar cells constituted approximately 86% of the current global market
PV in 2012. This is because silicon is available widely, non-toxic, can be doped easily and
production dominance economies of scale arise from its use in PV being a facet of the much
larger microelectronics industry.

Figure 1 (a) shows the variation of output power, PL and voltage, UL of a solar cell at four
different temperatures at constant solar radiation . The graph shows an initial increase in
power with voltage before declining. Temperature dependence of the maximum output
power Pm(T) reflects the reduction of power as the temperature increases. A similar graph of
output power and voltage of a PV panel can be seen in Figure 1(b) emphasising the effect of
temperature elevation on the power reduction of a silicon PV panel.

Figure 1: (a) Variation of Power with Voltage of a silicon solar cell

(b) Variation of Power with voltage of a silicon panel temperature

Organic solar cells have efficiencies of between 8.6% [13] and 12% . Poly-fullerene solar
cells have been found to have maximum conversion efficiency in the 47ºC – 60ºC
temperature range at temperatures both above and below this range the efficiency is lower.
The transfer of electric charge is temperature independent for organic solar cells.
Maintaining organic cells at an optimal specific temperature that maximises efficiency could
be technically feasible. However, as the efficiency of organic cells is low and, more
specifically, only small efficiency improvements would arise from operation at an optimal
temperature. The current cost margin available is thus too small for optimal efficiency
maintenance of organic PV cells by temperature control to be feasible commercially at
present.

Dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC), which have achieved efficiencies exceeding 10%, are thin
film solar cells with a layer of organic dye molecules to allow for extended absorption across
the solar spectrum into the visible light region. They are one of the least expensive printed
solar cells on the market. Temperature was found to affect the open circuit voltage (V oc) of
DSSC by approximately -2.5mV for every 1ºC increase in the cell. This effect originates
from a shift in the titanium dioxide conduction band, as shown in Figure 2.

2
 Figure 2: Temperature dependence of Voc in DSSC

2.1 Viability of thermal management interventions

The effect of temperature on photovoltaic technology varies according to the type of cell
as shown in Figure 3. Maintaining lower PV temperatures must be economically viable.
3
Installing a cooling system is not always a feasible option as the percentage increase in
efficiency can be small. The cost of the additional electricity should be less than the option
of installing a larger PV array. Conversely where only a small area is available for
deployment, as, for example, in solar powered consumer devices, a higher cost of PV
cooling maybe acceptable in the content of overall device design.

The thermal management of both organic and thin film silicon solar cells is unlikely to be
a feasible option without improvements in underlying cell efficiencies. Integrating a cooling
system can be economically viable for crystalline silicon cells in appropriate climatic and
generating conditions particularly for large or concentrating PV systems.

Figure 3: Efficiency Vs Temperature of dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC), polycrystalline

silicon (poly-Si) and Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells

3. SOURCES

The number of articles in the area of thermal management of PV using PCM has been
increasing steadily since 2002, 24 years after the first study was published in 1978. Based
specifically on citations in this research, Figure 4 shows the number of studies published
each year and the area in which the studies were completed. Interest in the thermal regulation
of PV and the use of PCM for thermal management were studied for many years before the
two areas were merged which initiated the application of PCM for temperature regulation of
PV. In the last ten years, the publications in thermal management of PV, CPV and PV/T
systems using PCM has increased rapidly.

4
 Figure 4: Evolution of the number of studies since 1978

4. STATE OF THE ART THERMAL MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM OF PV

The following section discusses the development of various systems which have shown
to maintain or enhance the efficiency of solar energy systems through the use of heat
removal techniques. A recent critical review by Du et al. compares thermal management
systems for PVs which focuses on various cooling methods and their potential to lower PV
cell temperature.

4.1 Incorporation of PV in buildings

The incorporation of PV modules in a building can create additional functionality for the PV
as wall and roofing elements, canopies and/or shading devices that replace “conventional”
building materials; this is referred to as building integrated PV (BIPV). Building-applied
photovoltaics (BAPV) are integrated into a building following its construction. Elevated
operating temperatures arise as buildings can thermally insulate incorporated PV. Maturi et
al. conducted a full-scale assessment of BIPV modular temperature for different types of PV.
Under the same environmental conditions of 1000W/m 2, copper indium gallium selenide
(CIGS) PV operate at a temperature 8ºC higher than the operating temperature of mono
crystalline potentially affecting the efficiency by 3%. A full-scale experiment showed that
the thermal-insulating building facade increased PV cell temperature by 20.7K causing a
9.3% loss of electrical yield compared to an actively cooled PV cell. Simulations using data
5
for Macon, France, showed a BIPV system to operate a cell efficiency of 6.8%, which is
equivalent to a 28% lower efficiency than to a non-integrated PV system,

4.2 Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Systems

In a hybrid PV/T system both electricity and heat are produced; the heat generated by the
PV cell is being captured using water or air. The objective is not to maximise PV cell
efficiency but to achieve a level of useful electrical and heat output simultaneously. The
assessment of a natural air circulation PV system comparing air and water as a heat transfer
fluid with and without glazing was investigated, as seen in Figure 5 . Heat extraction by
water circulation proved more efficient than using air.

Figure 5: Cross section of PV/T experimental models: (a) PV/Water (b) PV/Water + Glazing
(c) PV/Air (d) PV/Air + Glazing [39]

4.3 Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV)

Concentrating solar insolation onto solar cells using the techniques reduces the required area
of PV. When the concentration system has a lower cost than the PV, concentration gives a
lower cost solar energy system.

5. THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF PV USING PHASE

CHANGE MATERIAL

Phase change materials (PCM) have been used quite extensively in the thermal
management of electronic devices, Li-ion and fuel cell batteries, vehicle components and

6
cooling systems. PCM have been used for energy storage in residential and commercial
buildings as combined PCM with construction materials provides compact thermal mass.
PCM have been used in hot water tanks and with transpired air solar collectors, in 1978, it
was suggested PCM could act as a potential thermal storage if integrated with a PV. This
concept was patented in 1983. However, after this, PCM was not investigated as a means of
cooling PV until the mid-1990s.

5.1 Phase change materials (PCM)

PCM absorb thermal energy as latent heat at a constant phase change temperature.
PCM with a suitable phase transition temperature, can be used to regulate the temperature of
PV cells thus maintaining high efficiency for an extended period of time. Compared to other
methods of temperature regulation, the use of PCM has the added advantage of storing heat
energy that can be used asynchronously.

At initial heating, a PCM heats sensibly and when the PCM reaches the melting/solidification
temperature, the material absorbs latent heat, progressively melting. Melted PCM continues
to warm further as it melts. The duration and temperature range over which the phase change
takes place depends on the mass of PCM and the thermal conductivity of PCM and any
enhanced heat transfer elements therein. Once PCM has completely changed phase the
material will begin to heat sensibly again. This process is illustrated in FIG 6. PCM can
provide compact thermal energy storage over a specific temperature range.

7
Figure 6: Graphical representation of the variation of stored heat of a PCM with increasing
Temperature

A classification of PCM in terms of melting temperature and melting enthalpy . PCMs

are divided into organic (paraffin, fatty acid), inorganic (hydrated salts) and eutectic (mixture
of organic or inorganic PCM). Cabeza el al. divided PCM into groups;

• Cooling applications up to 21ºC,

• 22-28 ºC for comfort in building applications,

• 29-60 ºC for hot water applications

• High temperature applications requiring PCM of between 61-120 ºC.

There has been considerable research on types of PCM, their applications and thermophysical
properties . The advantages and disadvantages of PCM types for heat storage are summarised in
TABLE 2

Table 2: Advantages and disadvantages of organic and inorganic PCM for thermal storage

8
5.2 Thermal management of non-concentrating PV using PCM
There have been many experimental and computational investigations into the use
of PCM to regulate the temperature of PV. The first study of PCM as a potential method to
regulate the temperature of PV is illustrated in Figure 7 .

Figure 7: Phase change material integrated with a photovoltaic model

Stultz used Eicosane with a melting point of 36.7ºC, with a Spectro lab PV module used.
The high thermal expansion is an undesirable property when integrated into a PV/PCM
system.

The experiment showed an increase of 1.4% in the electrical efficiency of the PV.
However, it was noted this could be improved with enhanced thermal conductivity of PCM
and thus heat transfer from the PV to PCM. Stultz claimed if the PCM were successful in
absorbing the excess thermal energy, an improvement in power of 2% to 3.5% could be
expected. A PV/PCM system was not considered financially viable, however a PV
combined with a thermal storage system was seen to have the potential to be cost effective.
This work was discussed in a patent in 1983 but was not developed commercially.

In a patent published in 2005 PCM was incorporated in a battery module system, including a
fuel cell battery system. The invention refers to an arrangement whereby the PCM absorbs a
percentage of the heat generated upon a charge or discharge of electrical energy

The objective of the system is to improve the power supply of the system by regulating
undesired temperature increases, minimize non-uniformity of temperature and act as a heat
sink.

Huang et al. progressed the concept independently with extensive experimental and
simulation studies. The first numerical PV/PCM model was validated successfully by
comparison with small scale experiments. Three systems were analyzed under varying
environmental conditions; (i) an aluminum plate to simulate a PV cell; (ii) an aluminum
plate with a container filled with PCM to simulate a PV/PCM system; an aluminum plate
with a container filled with PCM with integrated fins, as in Figure 8.

9
 Figure 8: Photographic image of melting front of PV/PCM system

A 3D thermophysical model for a PV/PCM system based on the Naiver-Stokes equation

was developed for predicting the convective velocities of melted PCM and temperatures
inside the PV/PCM system, this model was compared with a previously published 2D model.
The 2D model can be used to predict temperature of a simple linear PV/PCM system
however the 3D model allows the prediction of a line-axis system to be resolved . The
application of fins in a PV/PCM system in BIPV to improve low heat transfer rates of PCM
was found to moderate the increase in temperature of PV . Aluminum fins, integrated in a
PV/PCM system, were used to investigate the melting process of PCM and the effect of
differently spaced fins both theoretically and experimentally using PCM RT27. Additional
fins were shown to improve the temperature control of the PV.

Hasan investigated experimentally the use of different PCM types to enhance the thermal
regulation of BIPV in a series of small scale indoor experiments. Five PCMs (RT20, capric:
palmitic acid, capric: lauric acid, calcium chloride and SP22) and four different systems
System A (Aluminum, internal width 5 cm), System B (Perspex, internal width 5 cm),
System C (Aluminum, internal width 3 cm) and System D (Perspex, Internal width 3 cm))
were tested under three insolation values (500 W/m 2, 750 W/m2 and 1000 W/m2) in a small
scale indoor experiment using a solar simulator to imitate solar conditions at an ambient
temperature of ± 1ºC.

For insolation of 500 W/m2, System A with capric: lauric and capric: palmitic was shown to
maintain a lower PV temperature for the longest period, (up to 2.5 hours at 10ºC lower than
the reference system). At 750W/m2 and 1000W/m2 (Figure 9) System A with calcium
chloride was shown to maintain PV front surface temperatures 10ºC below the reference for
a prolonged period of time compared to the other systems.

10
 Figure 9: Results from experiments at (a) 750 W/m2 and (b) 1000W/m2
The thermal behaviour of the PV/PCM system presented in Figure 10 was simulated for
hot climatic conditions with three paraffin waxes, that melted at 26-28ºC, 31ºC, 28-32ºC
for PCM1, PCM2 and PCM3, respectively.

Figure 10: Heat exchange in a PV/PCM system modelled using COMSOL

A MEPCM with melting temperature of 26ºC was simulated, during summer an increase of
0.13% of electrical efficiency was shown with MEPCM compared to without MEPCM,
winter time confirmed an increase in efficiency of 0.42%. The optimum aspect ratio
(width/height) of MEPCM incorporated in the system was recommended to be between
0.277 and 1. The melting temperature of the PCM was above ambient and close to standard
test conditions of the PV, this was a small phase transition temperature which allowed for
maximum transfer of latent heat to PCM. At an ambient temperature of 26ºC and solar
radiation of 600W/m2 PCMs with melting temperatures of 26 ºC and 34ºC increase the
efficiency of a PV module by 0.09% and 0.12%, respectively. Corresponding results have
been reported. A similar study was undertaken to assess the performance of water-saturated
MEPCM/ PV system, as in Figure, using a CFD numerical simulation.

11
 Figure 11: Schematic of heat transfer in a PV/MEPCM module
Under an irradiance of 800W/m2, the temperature of the panels coupled with the PCM
remained below that of the reference panels for over 5.5 hours. The increase of
instantaneous electrical production due to the temperature regulation of the PV by the
PCM is estimated to be about 15-23% compared to a PV system alone. Simulations carried
out using GAMBIT 2.4 and FLUENT 12.0.16. CFD codes followed the same trends as the
experimental investigations. Differences in the predicted PV temperatures arose due to the
approximation of material properties, heat transfer coefficients, surface emissivity and air
gap depth.

Japs et al. undertook an experimental analysis of a PV module integrated with a paraffin

based PCM. The PCM was incorporated with an aluminium-polymer compound to improve
its thermal properties. The PCM was shown to have a higher thermal conductivity but
decreased storage capacity when compared to its non- improved counterpart. Macro-
encapsulated PCM bags were attached to the back of a PV and were installed in Paderborn,
Germany. Temperature, current, voltage and MPP were recorded and it was found over a 25-
day period the PCM minimized daily temperature fluctuation of the surface of the PV
compared to a system without PCM. Also, the non-improved PCM provided lower operating
temperatures of a PV module initially although when melting occurs the improved PCM
regulates the temperature for 5.5 hours compared to non-improved PCM.

Full scale outdoor experiments of the use of PCM to regulate the temperature of a PV
system were undertaken in Dublin, Ireland and Vehara, Pakistan. Three 65W PV, as in
Figure 12, were used in the experiment where one served as a reference and the other two
were PV-PCM systems with a eutectic mixture of capric-palmitic and salt hydrate,
respectively.

12
Figure 12: Experimental set-up of PV-PCM systems, location of thermocouples and
attachment of PV to PCM container
The results were compared at peak instantaneous temperature of the reference PV. Capric:
palmitic PV -PCM system regulated the PV by 7°C and the PV-PCM system with salt
hydrate maintained a temperature reduction of 10°C compared to the reference PV as
illustrated in Figure 13(a). This trend was also shown in Vehari, where capric: palmitic
maintained a temperature reduction of 10°C and salt hydrate 21°C when compared reference
PV as shown in Figure 13

Figure 13: Surface temperatures of reference PV and PV-PCM systems measured in

(a) Dublin and (b) Vehari

5.3 Thermal management of CPV using PCM

PCM was first used in CPV in a patent in 1993, where the concept of PCM to
protect PV cells in a solar concentrator from excessive temperatures was included. The
selected PCM melted at a temperature higher than the normal operating temperature range of
the PV cells, but less than the temperature at which the PV cells suffer thermal damage.

13
 Further to their work on asymmetric compound parabolic photovoltaic concentrators
(ACPPVC) which concentrate significant diffuse solar radiation, Wu et al. designed and
constructed an ACPPVC integrating PCM RT27 to the back, as in Figure 14, to regulate the
temperature. The system had a concentration ratio of 2.

Figure 14: Illustration and image of ACPPVC integrated with PCM

At an incident solar radiation of 672W/m2 and incident angle of 0º the temperature of the
solar cells of the ACPPVC-55/ PCM was reduced by 18ºC during the phase change
compared to ACPPVC-55 system. The predicted electrical conversion efficiency of the
ACPPVC-55/PCM is 10%. Further tests under various incident angles and solar radiation
intensities found that at solar radiation intensities of 280W/m2 the PV temperature was
reduced by 7ºC for approximately 10 hours when using RT27 with an increase of 5% in the
electrical conversion compared to ACPPVC-55.

A V-trough CPV system was investigated where a metal-wax composite PCM was used to
regulate PV temperature, illustrated in Figure 15. Paraffin wax with a phase change range of
56-58 ºC was located on the rear of the module. To enhance low thermal conduction in the
PCM, aluminium lathe turnings were embedded. Indoor experiments maintained the
temperature between 65-68ºC for 3 hours at 2300W/m2 generated using a solar simulator.
The temperature of the PV rose to 90ºC in absence of the PCM. Outdoor experiments showed
maximum temperatures of between 78-80ºC in the absence of PCM and 64-65ºC with the
PCM as a temperature regulation mechanism though this was at a lower solar radiation
intensity of 1982 W/m2 generated by the initial radiation being concentrated in the V-trough.

14
 Figure 15: V-trough PV system with integrated metal-wax composite PCM

5.4 Hybrid PV/T PCM systems

A photovoltaic/ thermal (PV/T) system converts solar radiation into electrical and
thermal energy. The incorporation of thermal collectors with PV technology can increase the
overall efficiency of a PV system as thermal energy is produced as a by-product of the
production of electrical energy. Passive cooling is a naturally induced temperature difference
and the use of an external mechanical system is known as active or forced cooling. The
removal of heat from the PV occurs immediately once a temperature differential develops
between the PV and the transfer fluid. There are two options for disposal of excess thermal
energy collected from the PV; transfer of heat to air or water. The pre-heated fluid is diverted
directly to an end application such as warm water or air which can be used for purposes such
a space heating or domestic hot water requirements.

6. COMMERCIALIZATION

6.1 Practical Use

Commercial thermal management PCM for PVs are now available Currently on the market
is a compact storage module which is a panel containing PCM that could be integrated with
PV to produce a PV/ PCM system. Similar available products are BioPCmat designed to be
placed in solar collectors, drop ceilings, roofing or insulation to reduce heating, ventilation
and air conditioning loads and ENERGAIN®, a thermal mass panel with integrated PCM
which is used as a construction material to assist in passive cooling during summer and
passive heating during winter .Building on an updated a list of commercial PCM
manufacturers\the temperature ranges and number of PCMs available is presented in Table 3.

15
 Table 3: Commercial PCM manufacturers

6.2 Economics of incorporating PCM with PV

Consider a PV array on which insolation is incident. In low-insolation climates, high PV
temperatures are infrequent so cooling by natural convection from the front and near surfaces
is employed. In climates with higher insolation, thermal management interventions using
PCM offer more effectively maintained lower PV temperatures but incur additional capital
cost. The viability of the latter expenditure depends on the value of the additional electrical
output. In these locations worldwide with very high insolation it may also be viable to
withdraw heat stored in the PCM. However, the further additional cost this incurs does need
to be off-set by still greater electricity production from a cooler PCM heat sink and/or the
value of the heat extracted. In very high insolation climates, the heat extracted can be a very
valuable resource for night time space cooling and, in some instances, dehumidification. These

trends are illustrated in Figure 16.

Figure 16: Illustrative ranges for thermal management and heat removal in a PV system

16
CONCLUSION

The literature presented in this paper shows the potential of PCM with regard to
thermal management of PV. The temperature has been shown to be regulated through
its use thereby improving system performance. Nonetheless, the integration of PCM
with PV and the manufacturability of systems needs to be explored further to ensure
successful adoption of the technology is adopted by the building sector.

All studies have shown the use of PCMs helps to improve the performance of PV; however,
all systems were tested for a short period of time. Discharging and charging PCM for
extended periods of time should be investigated as the issue of re- solidification is important
and can pose a problem as if the PCM is not fully discharged it will not be able to fulfill its
maximum storage capacity the following day.

It is evident that further investigation into the applicability of PCM in the thermal
management of PV should focus on enhancing heat transfer into the PCM and between the
PV and PCM and on efficient night-time re-solidification. A long-term evaluation of the
systems would assist in this, assessing the discharging of the PCM in both the experimental
and simulated analysis. Despite these challenges there is an encouraging future for PCM
because an advantage associated with PV/ PCM systems compared to thermal management
of PV without heat storage is the potential to store the heat for an extended period of time
and only when the heat is required it is sent to an end application such as that of preheating
water or space heating.

This paper is state of the art review of thermal management of PV using PCM. All of the
PV-PCM systems reviewed have potential to delay the temperature increase of PV using
PCM. If organic cell efficiencies improve it may be viable to use a PCM to maintain an
organic cell at its optimal generating temperature. CPV has particular potential due to the
higher temperature of the PV.

REFERENCES

17
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