Three-dimensional numerical analysis of performance of PV module integrated with PCM and internal pin fins of different shapes.

Techniques must be used to improve the thermal conductivity of paraffin phase change materials (PCM) for augmenting the passive thermal management of PV. In this paper, transient three-dimensional numerical simulations of PV-PCM systems with square and circular cross-sectional fins have been carried out to analyse the effect of fins and inclination θ on the performance. Finned PV-PCM systems with multiple fin numbers are considered. The parameters, such as the average temperature and efficiency of the module, are simulated and compared. Results show that the system with square fins gives better thermal regulation over cylindrical ones for all inclinations and fin numbers. The system with 16 square fins at θ = 45 ∘ is found with minimum PV temperature and maximum efficiency. Maximum temperature reductions of 57.56 °C and 56.8 °C and efficiency enhancements of 43.47% and 42.89% are achieved for horizontal systems with 16 square and cylindrical fins, respectively, over PV alone system. The effect of fin length is also simulated, and the maximum PV temperature reductions of 56.8 °C and 45.96 °C are obtained for full-length configurations with inclinations of 0 ∘ and 45 ∘ , respectively. The peak velocity of melted PCM is simulated, and a maximum peak velocity of 4.88 mm s−1 is obtained for the unfinned PV-PCM system with θ = 45 ∘. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]