Thermal model to quantify the impact of sub-bandgap reflectance on operating temperature of fielded PV modules

Jonathan L. Bryan; Timothy J. Silverman; Michael G. Deceglie; Zachary C. Holman

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2021.03.045

Thermal model to quantify the impact of sub-bandgap reflectance on operating temperature of fielded PV modules

Jonathan L. Bryan, Timothy J. Silverman, Michael G. Deceglie, Zachary C. Holman

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Minimizing module heating is an effective way to increase the lifetime energy output of photovoltaic systems. Maximizing the reflection of light that is unusable for energy conversion is one of the most promising ways to reduce the operating temperature of fielded modules. We derive a model based on a steady-state energy balance to quantify the temperature benefit of cell or module optical modifications aimed at improving reflection of light with photon energies below the photovoltaic cell bandgap energy. This more detailed model is then simplified so that, from outdoor measured data, temperature differences arising from reflectance can be isolated from those arising from irradiance, wind speed, and module standard-test-condition efficiency.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	246-250
Number of pages	5
Journal	Solar Energy
Volume	220
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.03.045
State	Published - May 15 2021

Keywords

Photovoltaic module degradation
Rear reflector
Silicon photovoltaic module
Sub-bandgap reflectance
Thermal management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
General Materials Science

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10.1016/j.solener.2021.03.045

Cite this

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title = "Thermal model to quantify the impact of sub-bandgap reflectance on operating temperature of fielded PV modules",

abstract = "Minimizing module heating is an effective way to increase the lifetime energy output of photovoltaic systems. Maximizing the reflection of light that is unusable for energy conversion is one of the most promising ways to reduce the operating temperature of fielded modules. We derive a model based on a steady-state energy balance to quantify the temperature benefit of cell or module optical modifications aimed at improving reflection of light with photon energies below the photovoltaic cell bandgap energy. This more detailed model is then simplified so that, from outdoor measured data, temperature differences arising from reflectance can be isolated from those arising from irradiance, wind speed, and module standard-test-condition efficiency.",

keywords = "Photovoltaic module degradation, Rear reflector, Silicon photovoltaic module, Sub-bandgap reflectance, Thermal management",

author = "Bryan, {Jonathan L.} and Silverman, {Timothy J.} and Deceglie, {Michael G.} and Holman, {Zachary C.}",

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doi = "10.1016/j.solener.2021.03.045",

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T1 - Thermal model to quantify the impact of sub-bandgap reflectance on operating temperature of fielded PV modules

AU - Bryan, Jonathan L.

AU - Silverman, Timothy J.

AU - Deceglie, Michael G.

AU - Holman, Zachary C.

PY - 2021/5/15

Y1 - 2021/5/15

N2 - Minimizing module heating is an effective way to increase the lifetime energy output of photovoltaic systems. Maximizing the reflection of light that is unusable for energy conversion is one of the most promising ways to reduce the operating temperature of fielded modules. We derive a model based on a steady-state energy balance to quantify the temperature benefit of cell or module optical modifications aimed at improving reflection of light with photon energies below the photovoltaic cell bandgap energy. This more detailed model is then simplified so that, from outdoor measured data, temperature differences arising from reflectance can be isolated from those arising from irradiance, wind speed, and module standard-test-condition efficiency.

AB - Minimizing module heating is an effective way to increase the lifetime energy output of photovoltaic systems. Maximizing the reflection of light that is unusable for energy conversion is one of the most promising ways to reduce the operating temperature of fielded modules. We derive a model based on a steady-state energy balance to quantify the temperature benefit of cell or module optical modifications aimed at improving reflection of light with photon energies below the photovoltaic cell bandgap energy. This more detailed model is then simplified so that, from outdoor measured data, temperature differences arising from reflectance can be isolated from those arising from irradiance, wind speed, and module standard-test-condition efficiency.

KW - Photovoltaic module degradation

KW - Rear reflector

KW - Silicon photovoltaic module

KW - Sub-bandgap reflectance

KW - Thermal management

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SN - 0038-092X

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EP - 250

JO - Solar Energy

JF - Solar Energy

ER -

Thermal model to quantify the impact of sub-bandgap reflectance on operating temperature of fielded PV modules

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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