Effects of Phase Change Material on Solar Panel Power Output

This report outlines a cost-effective, self-sustaining, and environmentally responsible solution of passive cooling technologies in conjunction with a photovoltaic solar panel system to improve power output in response to Task 1 for the WERC Environmental Design Contest. PCMs have been used in many different practices to modulate temperatures both hot and cold. The PCM utilized is the proprietary PureTemp© 37X, with a phase change that occurs at 37°C. This was hypothesized to keep the solar panel at or below the nominal operating temperature of 45°C and improve efficiency. Testing showed that overall efficiency was improved with the addition of PureTemp© 37X to the rear side of the solar panel. The largest average improvement in power output when compared to the control was 2.9% at the maximum thickness (5.5cm), while the thinnest box (2.5 cm) had an average power output improvement of 0.79%. Assuming all the energy from the surface of the solar panels entered the PCM, with standard conditions of 21.5°C, 3.79 m/s wind speed, solar irradiance of 5890 W-hr/m2, the solar panel would remain below the nominal operating temperature for approximately 3 to 4 hours. Cost analysis based on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Utility PV 2018 Cost Model predicts that PV panels must have an efficiency increase of 14.9% with PCM attachment, compared to a control panel, to be financially reasonable.