Photovoltaic systems: Study of the effect of temperature on the power output of crystalline silicon PV modules and possible methods to lower solar cells' temperature

The energy yield of a PV module decreases with rising cell temperatures. Since the cell temperature of a PV module is normally higher than the ambient temperature the loss due to the effect of temperature can be considerable. This work analyses possible methods to decrease the solar cell temperature. Two methods were studied theoretically and the more practical solution was implemented and tested in field conditions. The first idea was to cool the PV module with water flowing through a tube on the rear surface. The second idea was the application of aluminium fins on the PV module's back. The so-called cooling fins are commonly used on radiators in cars and on electronic devices such as CPU-processors.