Enhancing Efficiency and Lifetime of Photovoltaic Systems Through Passive Convective Cooling

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is being installed at a rapid pace. Panel efficiencies and lifetimes are negatively affected by high operating temperatures. This study examines the cooling of PV panels with enhanced rearward convection. This is achieved through simple Aluminium fin structures which reduce operating temperatures by increasing the convective heat transfer coefficient and the area for heat exchange to occur. A temperature drop of ~10°C was measured throughout the day with a corresponding rise in peak output power of 19%. This was done with simple straight fins. An overall heat transfer coefficient of 26.0 W/m ² °C was increased to 36.4 W/m ² °C for the modified panel. For commercial adoption the main improvements to be made are using less material and designing a form factor which could be retrofitted to currently deployed systems or integrated into current manufacturing processes.