Improving Performance of a Photovoltaic Panel by Pin Fins: A Theoretical Analysis

Researchers are striving to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. As efficiency of PV cells decrease with temperature rise, panel cooling would increase the power output and solar energy can be better exploited. One of the strategies for this purpose is passive cooling by use of fins. In the present study, annual energy output of a 50W panel is calculated in two unfinned and pin-finned cases based on meteorological data of Shiraz, Iran. The results show that with the installation of 2 cm, 4 cm and 6 cm aluminum pin fins with finned-to-total-backside-area ratios of 0.17, 0.27 and, 0.55 the power output increases by 1.24-4.16%, compared to the unfinned case. This increase is equivalent to 1.04-3.50 kWh, more energy production during a year.

کلیدواژه ها:

Solar energy ، Photovoltaic panels ، Finned panel