Numerical simulation of photovoltaic panel thermal condition under wind convection

A numerical simulation of the heat transfer and temperature distribution through the layers of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel is performed in this study to explore its electrical performance and efficiency while being subjected to forced convection due to the surrounding wind. A commercial PV panel was taken as a basis to model this work. A mechanical meshing system and the finite volume method computational fluid dynamics (CFD) system were used to simulate the air flow on top and below the panel. By varying wind velocity, tilt angle and ambient temperature, different working conditions are considered. The surface convection coefficients resulting from the CFD calculations were introduced into the transient thermal analysis system which provided the heat transfer results within the solar panel. Under the conditions simulated, the thermal benefit of forced convection, as compared to natural convection, is found to be of significance depending on the air flow properties and above certain wind speed values. The wind vector direction (or conversely the solar panel's orientation) is found to be of importance as separated flow situations may rise and negate the effect of forced convection in panel's leeward regions due to the air speed dropping to 0 and recirculation. Further investigation is in order, to determine the possibilities of harnessing the effects of wind vector orientation.