Optimization of Fin Arrangement in Photovoltaic Modules Cooled by a Natural-Draft Cooling System
Photovoltaic power generation has become a research hotspot because it meets the goals of carbon peaking and neutrality.However,the high operating temperature of photovoltaic modules will decrease photoelectric conver-sion efficiency and shorten the service life.Therefore,a natural-draft cooling system for photovoltaic modules is pro-posed.Herein,fins are added to the natural-draft cooling system,which uses a combination of a natural draft and fins to strengthen the heat transfer of photovoltaic modules.A numerical simulation model for the natural-draft cooling system of photovoltaic modules with fins is established.The variation of the average temperature and photoelectric conversion efficiency of photovoltaic modules with nine different fin spacings(0.2 D—1.0 D)and seven different fin heights(0.2 H—1.4 H)are studied using FLUENT.The reference fin arrangement considered in this study is a fin spac-ing and height of D=68 mm(for 10 fins)and H=100 mm.As the fin spacing is adjusted at a fixed fin height of 100 mm,a minimum average temperature of 55.16℃ and a maximum photoelectric conversion efficiency of 17.29％are achieved when the fin spacing is 0.4 D.When the fin spacing is fixed at 0.4 D(27.2 mm),the average temperature of the photovoltaic modules gradually decreases and becomes stable(the temperature tends to stabilize at 54.73℃),and the photoelectric conversion efficiency gradually increases and becomes stable(the efficiency tends to stabilize at 17.32％)as the fin height increases from 0.2 H to 1.2 H.Therefore,the optimal fin arrangement for a natural-draft cooling system in photovoltaic modules is a fin spacing and height of 0.4 D(27.2 mm)and 1.2 H(120 mm).Compared with the use of no fins,the average temperature of photovoltaic modules is reduced by 6.24℃,the photoelectric conversion efficiency of photovoltaic modules is increased by 0.56％under the optimal fin arrangement when the am-bient temperature is 35℃,and the solar radiation intensity is 800 W/m2.The results of this study provide theoretical guidance for improving the quality and efficiency of photovoltaic systems.
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