Thermal and electrical properties of honeycomb photovoltaic modules with phase change material and alumina powders

Abstract This study investigates the thermal and electrical properties of the photovoltaic (PV) modules using honeycomb structural material and phase change material (PCM) with alumina particles. Honeycomb structure imparts lightweight, high stiffness, and ease of decomposition to PV module. PCM contributes to temperature control of the module. Alumina particles improve the heat transfer of PCM. The cell temperature and electrical properties were measured during light irradiation (1 kW/m 2 ). The experimental results showed that PCM with alumina particles worked to suppress the rise of the cell temperature and open-circuit voltage ( V OC ), Fill factor ( FF ), and maximum power ( P max ) of the module. The V OC , FF , and P max were improved by an average of 3.4 %, 2.0 %, and 0.96 %, respectively.