Improving the performance of a photovoltaic panel using phase change materials enhanced with metal foams

Abstract

A numerical investigation is conducted to improve the overall performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system using phase change materials (PCMs) reinforced with different types of foam materials. The PV panel was modelled as an aluminium plate in contact with a rectangular cavity filled with PCM with or without foam. The impact of the melting point of PCMs, as well as the effect of adding (Cu), (Al), and (SiC) foam to RT25 on the cooling performance of the PV, was analyzed. The results showed that the melting point of MCPs affected the PV temperature, where RT25 reduced 10.7 °C compared to RT44, and the addition of foam to PCM with a porosity of 97% and an air permeability index (IPP) of 5 is the most optimal in this system. such as the use of Cu as foam allows an improvement of 16.18% compared to standard PV and 12% compared to the use of PCM alone. This work also highlights the positive impact of improving PV efficiency on economic and environmental aspects. Where the (PV/PCM(RT 25) + f oam(SiC)) combination is a high-performance and more economical solution. On the other hand, the proposed cooling system can increase energy production by 24 (kWh/m2/year) and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 48 (kg/m2/year).