Browsing by Author "Rehman, Tauseef-ur"

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    PCM-based hybrid thermal management system for photovoltaic modules: A comparative analysis
    (2023) Lamba, Ravita; Montero, Francisco Javier; Rehman, Tauseef-ur; Singh, Sarveshwar; Manikandan, Sundararaj
    Proper temperature regulation of photovoltaic (PV) modules increases their performance. Among various cooling techniques, phase change materials (PCMs) represent an effective thermal management route, thanks to their large latent heat at constant temperatures. Radiative cooling (RC) is also recently explored as a passive option for PV temperature regulation. In this paper, a heat sink (HS), phase change materials, and radiative cooling are integrated with photovoltaic modules to achieve low and uniform temperature distribution along the PV module and improved performance. Eight different combinations are considered for the proposed system, including HS, PCM, and RC, and their various combinations. The PCM is selected according to the environmental conditions of the selected location. A comprehensive 2-D model is developed and analyzed in COMSOL-Multiphysics software by solving the governing equations using the finite element method. The performance analysis is carried out for the climatic conditions of the Atacama Desert, having high solar radiation and ambient temperature. The effects of PCM height, ambient temperature, wind velocity, and solar radiation on the performance of the proposed system are studied. The performance of eight different configurations is also compared. The maximum reductions in PV temperature, maximum PV power, and a minimum drop in PV conversion efficiency are observed to be 22 C-o, 152 W, and 14% using a combined heat sink and radiative cooling systems, among all other configurations. The findings of this study can be used to select the best PV cooling method among different configurations.
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    Radiative cooling system integrated with heat sink for the thermal management of photovoltaic modules under extreme climate conditions
    (2023) Kumar, Ramesh; Montero, Francisco J.; Rehman, Tauseef-ur; Lamba, Ravita; Vashishtha, Manish; Upadhyaya, Sushant
    Suitable thermal management of photovoltaic (PV) modules can increase their efficiency. Alongside, the extra amount of energy needed for their thermal management should also be minimized to improve the overall efficiency of the PV system. This leads to exploring passive thermal management techniques. Recently, radiative cooling (RC) has been explored widely as a passive thermal management technique for PV systems. This paper explores radiative cooling and heat sink (HS) as passive methods for thermal regulation of the photovoltaic systems to get lower and uniform temperature distribution along the PV module. A comprehensive two-dimensional model of the proposed system is developed and analyzed in commercial COMSOL Multiphysics software. The governing equations are solved numerically using finite element methods, and simulations are carried out. Four different configurations, namely Case-0: photovoltaic-only system, Case-1: photovoltaic + heat sink, Case-2: photovoltaic + radiative cooling, and Case-3: photovoltaic + heat sink + radiative cooling systems, are considered in this analysis. The performance of four cases has been compared regarding PV temperature reduction, power output, and conversion efficiency. The performance analysis is carried out for the climatic conditions of the Atacama Desert. The results indicated that the photovoltaic + heat sink + radiative cooling system, i.e., Case-3, is the most efficient among all cases. The reduction in the maximum PV operating temperature and improvements in the maximum PV power output and minimum PV conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic + heat sink + radiative cooling system compared to that of the photovoltaic system alone are 6.63%, 8.57%, and 11.11%, respectively. The findings of this study can be used to effectively design the cooling system for the thermal management of photovoltaic modules installed in desert locations.