Abstract
Simulation of a complete PV system shall stem from a Multiphysics perspective. Within a continuum modeling approach, among these physics, the thermal model of a PV panel is most crucial because all the other models are directly or indirectly related to it. As all models of a PV system are connected sequentially, error from one model component propagates to the next model component and the overall system error accumulates eventually. One of the main objectives of this work was to increase the prediction accuracy by developing a fully transient 2-D finite difference (FD) based thermal model. The developed computational code is completely generic and can be applied to any type of PV technology or configuration. It was shown in the study how to choose an appropriate grid size for any FD model. Using the developed code, various studies were also conducted. Modified radiation models, heat transfer coefficients and thermal networks for the PV panel were proposed in the study, which remarkably improved the accuracy of the thermal model. Also studied were the effects of including heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and heat generation in the front glass cover. The results showed that ignoring the heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and including heat generation in the front glass cover have no noticeable difference in the model prediction.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 1 Jan 2017 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- 2D finite difference
- Coupled modeling
- Photovoltaic modules
- Real service conditions
- Thermal and performance predictive tool
- Thermal model
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Cite this
Two-dimensional finite difference-based model for coupled irradiation and heat transfer in photovoltaic modules. / Aly, Shahzada Pamir; Ahzi, Said; Barth, Nicolas; Figgis, Benjamin.
In: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 01.01.2017.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Two-dimensional finite difference-based model for coupled irradiation and heat transfer in photovoltaic modules
AU - Aly, Shahzada Pamir
AU - Ahzi, Said
AU - Barth, Nicolas
AU - Figgis, Benjamin
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Simulation of a complete PV system shall stem from a Multiphysics perspective. Within a continuum modeling approach, among these physics, the thermal model of a PV panel is most crucial because all the other models are directly or indirectly related to it. As all models of a PV system are connected sequentially, error from one model component propagates to the next model component and the overall system error accumulates eventually. One of the main objectives of this work was to increase the prediction accuracy by developing a fully transient 2-D finite difference (FD) based thermal model. The developed computational code is completely generic and can be applied to any type of PV technology or configuration. It was shown in the study how to choose an appropriate grid size for any FD model. Using the developed code, various studies were also conducted. Modified radiation models, heat transfer coefficients and thermal networks for the PV panel were proposed in the study, which remarkably improved the accuracy of the thermal model. Also studied were the effects of including heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and heat generation in the front glass cover. The results showed that ignoring the heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and including heat generation in the front glass cover have no noticeable difference in the model prediction.
AB - Simulation of a complete PV system shall stem from a Multiphysics perspective. Within a continuum modeling approach, among these physics, the thermal model of a PV panel is most crucial because all the other models are directly or indirectly related to it. As all models of a PV system are connected sequentially, error from one model component propagates to the next model component and the overall system error accumulates eventually. One of the main objectives of this work was to increase the prediction accuracy by developing a fully transient 2-D finite difference (FD) based thermal model. The developed computational code is completely generic and can be applied to any type of PV technology or configuration. It was shown in the study how to choose an appropriate grid size for any FD model. Using the developed code, various studies were also conducted. Modified radiation models, heat transfer coefficients and thermal networks for the PV panel were proposed in the study, which remarkably improved the accuracy of the thermal model. Also studied were the effects of including heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and heat generation in the front glass cover. The results showed that ignoring the heat transfer from the sides of a PV panel and including heat generation in the front glass cover have no noticeable difference in the model prediction.
KW - 2D finite difference
KW - Coupled modeling
KW - Photovoltaic modules
KW - Real service conditions
KW - Thermal and performance predictive tool
KW - Thermal model
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021840508&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85021840508&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.solmat.2017.06.055
DO - 10.1016/j.solmat.2017.06.055
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85021840508
JO - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
JF - Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
SN - 0927-0248
ER -