Maintaining Safe Operating Temperatures for c-Si Solar Cells: Insights from COMSOL Multiphysics Simulation

In recent years, solar energy has attracted significant attention due to its abundance and renewable nature. This study utilized the heat transfer module in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 to investigate the temperature distribution and thermal variations in c-Si solar cells. A 3-D model, comprising five layers, was developed to represent the cell’s dimensions. The input load considered radiant energy from the sun, while the output load accounted for surface reflection effects and electric power generation. Boundary conditions encompassed natural convection heat transfer and no convection at the bottom of the cell, with the upper surface exposed to the ambient environment. The time-dependent solution revealed that the cell temperature reached a steady state after approximately 600 seconds in both cases. The results demonstrated that while the temperature gradient remained consistent in both scenarios, convection at the bottom layer led to a $12{}^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ cooling of the cell, resulting in a $5.4 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m}^{2}$ increase in electrical output. Furthermore, it was observed that wind speed on the top surface positively influenced the cell’s cooling process. Additionally, to maintain a safe operating temperature for the cells, heat removal of at least $50 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m} 2$ was deemed necessary.