Temperature

distribution of
photovoltaic
module based
on finite element
Jicheng Zhou , Qiang Yi, Yunyun
simulation
Wang, Zhibin Ye [3]

Content
Introduction
Construction
Finite Element Model
Assumptions
Boundary Conditions
Results
Conclusions
References

Introduction
Operating temperature has a significant impact on the
electrical efficiency of PV modules and the decrease of
operating temperature leads to an increase of the module
efficiency
Also the temperature distribution in photovoltaic cell will
give rise to thermal stresses in the panel.
New hybrid systems commercially known as PhotovoltaicThermal or PV/T collectors has been designed
Either air or water can be used as medium and acts as
heat carrier depends on the usage

Construction
A photovoltaic cells construction consists of top glass
cover, solar cells and bus bars, ethylvinylacetate (EVA)
and Tedlar and backsheet.

Parameters

Finite Element Model

The three-dimension model which
simulates the thermal transfer of in
polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic
module consists of five layers: glass,
ethylvinylacetate (EVA), polycrystalline
silicon solar cells, EVA and TPT
(Tedlar/PET/ Tedlar) backsheet layer from
top to bottom respectively.

The solar cells are embedded in EVA and

have a dimension of 125 mm by 125 mm.
The interval of adjacent cells is 2 mm.

Assumptions
The reflectivity, transmissivity and absorptivity of all materials are considered
significant to the analysis and taken to be unity.
Referring to the solar cell reference efficiency of 12.5%, the solar cell electrical
efficiency at temperature of 298 K is now presumed to be 15%.
The ambient temperature is postulated as equal on all sides of the model.
Concerning the heat radiation exchange, the back and front of the PV module
are taken to view the ground and sky respectively. The ground and sky
temperature is assumed to be equal to the ambient temperature
The convective heat transfer coefficient at the back surface of the PV module
is presumed to be half of the front due to it is not cooling as well as the front
The state conditions are presumed to be steady.

Boundary Conditions

Boundary Conditions

Result
s

Temperature distribution and

model validation

[3]

[3]

[3]

Effect of solar irradiance

[3]

[3]

Effect of wind speed

[3]

[3]

Effect of adjacent cell interval

[3]

Effect of adjacent cell interval

Conclusion
A validation of a new simulation model for analysis of thermal
performance of a PV module. It is found that the temperature
decrease with increase in interval between adjacent cells. Taking
factors like the electrical power output, costs and electric
insulation problem into consideration an optimum value of interval
can be found out.
Lower ambient temperature is helpful for both the heat dissipation
and the improving of solar cell electrical efficiency, and this effect
is obvious especially under high solar irradiance and low wind
speed.

References
[1]Finite Element Thermal Analysis of a Solar Photovoltaic Module,
Leea,b and Andrew A. O. Taya,b.

Yixian

[2]Temperature distribution of photovoltaic module based on finite element

simulation,
Jicheng Zhou , Qiang Yi, Yunyun Wang, Zhibin Ye.
[3]Thermal analysis of film photovoltaic cell subjected to dual laser beam
irradiation,
Yu-Chen Yuan, Chen-Wu Wu*
[4]Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) technology e The future energy technology
Mohd Yusof Othman, Adnan Ibrahim, Goh Li Jin, Mohd Hafidz Ruslan, Kamaruzzaman Sopian
Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia

[5]Three-dimensional thermal modeling of a photovoltaic module under varying

conditions
M. Usama Siddiqui, A.F.M. Arif , Leah Kelley, Steven Dubowsky