Exergy efficiency of a solar photovoltaic array based on exergy destructions
- 27 May 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy
- Vol. 224 (6), 813-825
- https://doi.org/10.1243/09576509JPE890
Abstract
In this article, an attempt has been made to investigate the exergetic performance of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array. A detailed energy and exergy analysis has been carried out to calculate the operating and electrical parameters, exergy destruction components, and exergy efficiency of a typical PV array. The operating and electrical parameters of a PV array include PV array temperature, overall heat loss coefficient, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point voltage, maximum power point current, etc. Some corrections have been done on the overall heat loss coefficient. Further, a new equation for the exergy efficiency of a PV array has been derived in terms of exergy destruction components. A computer simulation program has also been developed in order to calculate the operating and electrical parameters of a PV array. The results of numerical simulation are in good agreement with the experimental measurements noted in the previous literature. Furthermore, the new exergy efficiency obtained in this article is in fair agreement with the one given by the previous literature. Finally, parametric studies have been carried out. It is observed that PV array temperature has a great effect on the exergy efficiency, and the exergy efficiency can be improved if the heat can be removed from the PV array surface. On the other hand, design parameters such as PV array area have a little effect on the exergy efficiency.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- A simple correlation for the operating temperature of photovoltaic modules of arbitrary mountingSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2008
- Performance of the photovoltaic solar-assisted heat pump system with and without glass cover in winter: A comparative analysisProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 2008
- Thermodynamic analysis of solar photovoltaic cell systemsSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2007
- Effect of flow channel dimensions on the performance of a box-frame photovoltaic/thermal collectorProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 2006
- Simple optimization procedure for silicon-based solar cell interconnection in a series–parallel PV moduleEnergy Conversion and Management, 2006
- Physical Chemical Principles of Photovoltaic Conversion with Nanoparticulate, Mesoporous Dye-Sensitized Solar CellsThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2004
- A thermoeconomic analysis of a PV-hydrogen system feeding the energy requests of a residential building in an isolated valley of the AlpsEnergy Conversion and Management, 2004
- Field-test analysis of PV system output characteristics focusing on module temperatureSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2003
- Thermally affected parameters of the current–voltage characteristics of silicon photocellEnergy Conversion and Management, 2002
- A modelling method for building-integrated photovoltaic power supplyBuilding Services Engineering Research and Technology, 2002