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Effects of wind on cooling and performance of photovoltaic arrays: A case study CFD modeling

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  • Nahani, P.
  • Eslami, M.
  • Hamzehzarghani, R.

Abstract

As photovoltaic (PV) power plants become more popular, it is important to understand how wind affects the temperature distribution and consequently performance of modules placed in different rows of a PV array. This study conducts a comprehensive three dimensional CFD simulation for two 5 by 10 PV arrays (with and without inter-row module spacing) to assess the effects of wind on PV array power output. By solving the continuity, momentum, and energy equations simultaneously, the temperature distribution in the PV modules and the surrounding air along with the resulting velocity profiles are obtained and investigated for two wind directions (northerly and southerly) and two wind speeds of 2 and 5 m/s. The electrical output of PV modules for the respective cases are then compared. The results show that the PV array with zero inter-row module spacing performs better under northerly wind and experiences a 5.3% increase in power output with increasing wind speed. However, the PV array with 3 cm spacing performs better under southerly wind and experiences a 4.6% increase in power output with increasing wind speed. It is found that the PV array with inter-row spacing generally performs better than the one with zero inter-row module spacing.

Suggested Citation

  • Nahani, P. & Eslami, M. & Hamzehzarghani, R., 2024. "Effects of wind on cooling and performance of photovoltaic arrays: A case study CFD modeling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:293:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224003682
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130596
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nižetić, S. & Grubišić- Čabo, F. & Marinić-Kragić, I. & Papadopoulos, A.M., 2016. "Experimental and numerical investigation of a backside convective cooling mechanism on photovoltaic panels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 211-225.
    2. Gökmen, Nuri & Hu, Weihao & Hou, Peng & Chen, Zhe & Sera, Dezso & Spataru, Sergiu, 2016. "Investigation of wind speed cooling effect on PV panels in windy locations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 283-290.
    3. Talaat, M. & Farahat, M.A. & Elkholy, M.H., 2019. "Renewable power integration: Experimental and simulation study to investigate the ability of integrating wave, solar and wind energies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 668-682.
    4. Hu, Weiwei & Li, Xingcai & Wang, Juan & Tian, Zihang & Zhou, Bin & Wu, Jinpeng & Li, Runmin & Li, Wencang & Ma, Ning & Kang, Jixuan & Wang, Yong & Tian, Jialong & Dai, Jibin, 2022. "Experimental research on the convective heat transfer coefficient of photovoltaic panel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 820-826.
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