Numerical Analysis of Fin-Enhanced PCM Cooling Using Different Heat Sink Materials for Photovoltaic System

Abstract

This research examines the performance of photovoltaic (PV) phase change material (PCM) systems through numerical analysis of finned heat sink materials. To do this, the proposed model utilized the enthalpy-porosity method in ANSYS Fluent to simulate a multi-layer PV module with a PCM layer and embedded aluminium, copper, and steel heat sinks. Ultimately, the study found that the material of the heat sink dramatically affected the temperature distributions throughout the PV module, how the PCM melted, and the overall operating temperature of the PV module. Of all the materials tested, aluminium exhibited the most effective thermal regulation and resulted in an average PV temperature decrease of 6.62 K (approximately 2.05%) when compared to steel. Even though the steel configuration had the highest melt fraction of PCM due to greater thermal loading, this did not result in improved cooling performance, rather the electrical efficiency of PV modules with aluminium cooling increased from 11.51% to 11.90% (an approximate increase of 3.39% relative). The results of this study indicate that to achieve optimal efficiency in a PV-PCM system, it is critical to optimize thermal regulation of the PVs rather than prioritize maximum PCM melting.