Numerical and Experimental Study on a Thermal Model of Flexible Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Photovoltaic Panels

Abstract

Abstract:

Abstract： In order to investigate the temperature of amorphous silicon photovoltaic panel (a-Si PV) under sunny and cloudy conditions, a thermal model was developed based on the total energy balance on the control volume. In the differential equation, the corresponding short wave radiation, long wave radiation, convection and generated power were determined, respectively. And then, this equation was solved by a newly-developed program. Besides, an experimental mockup was designed to get the experimental data for the verification of the numerical results. The measured results show that the effect of solar irradiance on temperature is much more significant than that of the installation angles and ambient temperature, and that the maximum temperature variation under sunny condition is greater than that under cloudy condition. The comparative analysis shows that this model could correctly predict the temperature of the a-Si PV under sunny and cloudy conditions. The maximum difference is 3.9 °C. The acceptable reasons are the solar irradiance with strong fluctuation under cloudy condition and the PV thermal response time effects caused by the thermal mass of the PV materials. In summary, this model could consider most of the variables influencing the temperature of the PV and get the precise temperature variation of the a-Si PV under sunny and cloudy conditions.

Key words: flexible amorphous silicon photovoltaic(a-Si PV) panel, thermal model, temperature

CLC Number:

HU Jianhui1a,CHEN Wujun1a,ZHAO Bing1a,HU Pengyu1a,GE Binbin1b,SONG Hao2. Numerical and Experimental Study on a Thermal Model of Flexible Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Photovoltaic Panels[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2015, 49(04): 436-441.

References

［1］Parida B, Iniyan S, Goic R. A review of solar photovoltaic technologies ［J］. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2011,15(3):16251636.

［2］周南. 柔性薄膜太阳能电池力学性能及其在膜结构中的应用研究［D］. 杭州: 浙江大学建筑工程学院, 2010.

［3］Hu Jianhui, Chen Wujun, Zhao Bing, et al. Experimental studies on summer performance and feasibility of a BIPV/T ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cushion structure system ［J］. Energy and Buildings, 2014,69:394406.

［4］Chen W, Hu J, Song H. Novel BIPV/T ETFE cushion ［C］∥Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures. Munich: Springer, 2013: 363374.

［5］Poirazis H, Kragh M, Hogg C. Energy modelling of ETFE membranes in building applications ［C］∥Eleventh International IBPSA Conference. Glasgow： Taylor and Francis: 2009: 696703.

［6］TamizhMani G, Ji L, Tang Y, et al. Photovoltaic module thermal/wind performance: longterm monitoring and model development for energy rating ［C］∥NCPV and Solar Program Review Meeting. Denver: Golden Corporation, 2003: 14.

［7］Tiwari G, Mishra R, Solanki S. Photovoltaic modules and their applications a review on thermal modelling ［J］. Applied Energy, 2011,88(7):22872304.

［8］Davis M W, Fanney A H, Dougherty B P. Prediction of building integrated photovoltaic cell temperatures ［J］. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2001, 123(3):200210.

［9］Jones A D, Underwood C P. A thermal model for photovoltaic systems ［J］. Solar Energy, 2001,70 (4):349359.

［10］United Solar Ovonic. Unisolar technical report［R］. Michigan: United Solar Ovonic, 2006.

［11］吴继臣, 徐刚. 全国主要城市冬季太阳辐射强度的研究［J］. 哈尔滨工业大学学报, 2003,35 (10):12361239.

WU Jichen, XU Gang. Major Chinese cities’ solar radiant intensities in winter ［J］. Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, 2003, 35(10): 12361239.

［12］Gaur A, Tiwari G N. Performance of aSi thin film PV modules with and without water flow: An experimental validation ［J］. Applied Energy, 2014,128:184191.

［13］Balog R S, Kuai Y, Uhrhan G. A photovoltaic module thermal model using observed insolation and meteorological data to support a long life, highly reliable moduleintegrated inverter design by predicting expected operating temperature ［C］∥Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition. Atlanta: IEEE, 2009: 33433349.

［14］沈世钊. 膜结构——发展迅速的新型空间结构［J］. 哈尔滨建筑大学学报, 1999,32(2):1115.

SHEN Shizhao, Membrane structure——An innovative spatial structure with bright prospect ［J］. Journal of Harbin University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 1999, 32(2): 1115.

［15］陈务军. 膜结构工程设计［M］. 北京: 中国建筑工业出版社, 2005.

［16］Ramabadran R, Mathur B. Effect of shading on series and parallel connected solar PV modules ［J］. Modern Applied Science, 2009,3(10):3242.

[1]	DING Shifeng, ZHOU Li, GU Yingjie, LIU Renwei, HU Yangfan, LIU Zhibing. Numerical Simulation of Freezing Process in Ice Tank Driven by Cold Air [J]. J Shanghai Jiaotong Univ Sci, 2025, 30(6): 1265-1275.
[2]	CAI Aifeng, TIAN Yi, TIAN Yusong, SHE Shaobo, LI Chunyu, WU Jingyi. Research on Light Transmission Performance in a Low-Temperature Nitrogen Environment [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2025, 8(6): 103-113.
[3]	LIU Yi, ZHANG Kailin, SHAO Shuai, XIANG Hongxu. Investigation on Steady-State Thermal Performance of Gear Box Based on Thermal-Fluid-Solid Coupling [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2025, 59(5): 666-674.
[4]	CAO Huan, CAI Ao, CHEN Yangyu, ZUO Wenkang, CHEN Mantai. Behavior of High Strength Steel Butt Joints at Arctic Low Temperatures [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2025, 59(4): 533-540.
[5]	LIU Yiqiang, HE Zhong, ZHOU Zhenyong, GONG Yulin. Research on the Cause of High Temperature Alarm in Crane Hydraulic Oil and Technical Upgrade Solutions for Shutdown [J]. Ocean Engineering Equipment and Technology, 2025, 12(2): 52-54.
[6]	. Analysis and Countermeasures of Variable Speed Drive Failures in High Temperature Environments [J]. Ocean Engineering Equipment and Technology, 2025, 12(2): 55-58.
[7]	XIN Gengfei, JI Hongxuan, MO Zhixiong, LI Ke. Research on Reducing the Frequency of Startup Failures in Emergency Diesel Fire Pumps [J]. Ocean Engineering Equipment and Technology, 2025, 12(2): 64-68.
[8]	ZHANG Guodong. Research on the Efficiency and Stability of the Filter Element in Natural Gas Lubricating Oil Aggregation Separators [J]. Ocean Engineering Equipment and Technology, 2025, 12(2): 96-101.
[9]	XU Yang, XIAO Qian, JIA Hongjie, JIN Yu, MU Yunfei, LU Wenbiao. Junction Temperature Algorithm of IGBT for Interface Converter in Optical Storage Microgrid System Considering Three-Dimensional Transverse Heat Conduction [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2025, 59(10): 1533-1545.
[10]	CHEN Qiang, ZHU Jinwei, ZHAO Yuchen, LIU Wei, ZHANG Xiaobin, WU Yuan, LIU Xiongjun, WANG Hui, LYU Zhaoping. Research Progress in Antioxidation of Refractory High Entropy Alloys at High Temperatures [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2024, 7(6): 96-103.
[11]	YAO Dongxu, YU Xing, GU Hao, LI Jiahao, LIU Wen, LI Rui. Research Progress on High-Temperature Resistant Wave Transparent Silicon Nitride Based Ceramics [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2024, 7(6): 46-57.
[12]	CHEN Zhiyong. Research and Development of High-Temperature Titanium Alloys for Hypersonic Aircraft [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2024, 7(6): 38-45.
[13]	XU Jian, YU Qingfang, LIAO Siyang, KE Deping, SUN Yuanzhang. Power Smoothing Strategy for Industrial Park Tie-Line Considering Production Safety [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2024, 58(6): 941-953.
[14]	FENG Yangyang, DING Haoliang, HU Pingshan, YAN Bo. Steady-State Temperature Field Simulation of Injection Mold Based on Finite Volume Method [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2024, 58(4): 461-467.
[15]	LUO Yanmei, LIU Jiangfeng, DOU Yibin, WANG Wenfang, LIU Luguang, XU Bin, ZHONG Zhengxiang. Preparation of High Temperature Resistant Silicone Resin Coating for Temperature Indication [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2024, 7(3): 79-85.