Natural convection in an internally finned phase change material heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaics

Elevated operating temperatures reduce the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of building integrated photovoltaic devices (BIPV). Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit this temperature rise although their effectiveness is limited by their low thermal conductivities and crystallisation segregation during solidification. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation in a PCM as a function of efficiency of heat transfer within the finned PV/PCM system. The thermal performances of bulk PCM with crystallisation segregation for different internal fin arrangements are presented. It is noted that the addition of internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.

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► Phase change materials (PCM) can be used to passively limit the temperature rise on PV.
► Effectiveness is limited by low thermal conductivities and crystallization segregation.
► Experimental evaluation of the effects of convection and crystalline segregation.
► Internal fins improves the temperature control of the PV in a PV/PCM system.