Laminar Free Convection from a Vertically-Oriented Concentrated Photovoltaic Cell with Uniform Surface Heat Flux
Laminar Free Convection from a Vertically-Oriented Concentrated Photovoltaic Cell with Uniform Surface Heat Flux
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Date
2013
Authors
Connolly, Jason
Fries, Kevin
Biswas, Sougata
Grant, Christopher
Hwang, Kevin
Kang, Hoyoung
Motabar, Donna
Advisor
Carr, Charlie
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
This research project uses field measurements to investigate the cooling of a triple-junction, photovoltaic cell under natural convection when subjected to various amounts of insolation. The team built an experimental apparatus consisting of a mirror and Fresnel lens to concentrate light onto a triple-junction photovoltaic cell, mounted vertically on a copper heat sink. Measurements were taken year-round to provide a wide range of ambient conditions. A surface was then generated, in MATLAB, using Sparrow’s model for natural convection on a vertical plate under constant heat flux. This surface can be used to find the expected operating temperature of a cell at any location, given the ambient temperature and insolation. This research is an important contribution to the industry because it utilizes field data that represents how a cell would react under normal operation. It also extends the use of a well-known model from a one-sun environment to a multi-sun one.