Abstract

Background: The cooling effect of wind speed and wind direction was assessed using an 820× concentrator photovoltaic module and wind tunnel. This study allowed us to define the best setting for concentrator photovoltaic module that allowed the highest cooling effect and temperature drop, which was the main goal of this research.

Methods: Solar cell used in this module is triple-junction solar cell consists of InGaP/InGaAs/Ge layers. The setting inside the wind tunnel was set to meet the module temperature condition as in outdoor environment. The module tilt angle was set to 10°, 45° and 80°. The module azimuth was set to 0°, 45°, 90°, 135° and 180°. Altogether there were fifteen set up conditions. Also the wind speed was set to 2, 5 and 8 m/s respectively.

Results: Cooling effect was most effective when the azimuth angle was set at 90°, which means that wind was blowing from the side of the module.

Conclusion: All set up conditions demonstrated that the module cools down at higher wind speed. In addition, azimuth of 90° shows the highest average amount of temperature drop of the solar cells.

Keywords: Concentrator photovoltaic, cooling effect, wind, wind tunnel, CPV module, conversion efficiency.

Graphical Abstract