Temperature distribution in a photovoltaic module at various mounting and wind conditions: A complete CFD modeling

Abstract

In this study, a complete three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer from a Photovoltaic (PV) module is developed. Since the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic modules is a function of its temperature, the present research tries to calculate the temperature distribution in the module by numerically solving the governing momentum and energy equations with the finite element method. The three dimensional wind flow field around the system is simulated in different geometrical and ambient conditions to account for realistic and nonuniform convection heat transfer from the module surfaces. The electrical output power is calculated as a function of PV module temperature and is modeled as a negative source term in the energy equation. Results show that the present method is very successful in predicting the temperature distribution and output power of photovoltaic modules at various geometrical and environmental conditions. Specifically, the effect of wind direction and tilt angle of the PV module is investigated. By increasing the tilt angle at wind velocities higher than 1 m/s, the average PV temperature increases by about 4 K; as a result, its efficiency decreases. The most favorable wind direction is 90° as a 3 K cooling in the average PV module temperature can be achieved. The proper choice of mounting orientation is also important, and it depends on the wind direction. In most cases, the horizontal mounting (i.e., the longer side of the panel is parallel to the ground) results in better cooling.