To achieve reliable and efficient operation of generic
polycrystalline silicon solar cell under concentrated sunlight, a
novel structure of the cell layers is proposed along with
effective cooling technique using microchannel heat sink
(MCHS). In the novel structure, Boron Nitride with the volume
fraction of 20%, 40%, and 60% as a filler is incorporated in the
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) matrix to form a new composite.
The new composite is used instead of the conventional EVA
layer in the solar cell. Various solar cell structures integrated
with MCHS are studied and compared with the conventional
structure. To determine the performance of the developed
concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) system, a
comprehensive three-dimensional model of the solar cell with
heat sink is developed. The model is numerically simulated and
validated. Based on the validated results, it is found that the
novel structure with EVA-60% BN composite along with
aluminum foil back sheet attains 30% increase in the gained
solar cell electric power with 10.9 % reduction in the cell
temperature compared with the conventional solar cell structure
at the same cooling mass flow rate of 50 g/min and
concentration ratio of 20. However at CR=20, Vw=1m/s and
T
a=30oC a significant damage of the conventional solar cell
structure will occurs if no effective cooling technique is used.
Moreover, the developed design of solar cell achieves a higher
CPVT-system thermal efficiency compared with the
conventional one. |
