Thermal regulation of photovoltaic panels using shape-stabilized phase change materials supported by exfoliated graphite/graphene nanofillers

This experimental research focuses on using shape-stabilized phase change materials (SS-PCMs) for thermal management of a PV panel. SS-PCMs are composed of 50% beeswax and 50% coconut oil, and exfoliated graphite (xGnP)/graphene (GP) nanoparticles to enhance shape-stabilization and thermal conductivity of the SS-PCM. The influence of weight fraction of xGnP/GP (phi = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%wt) and weight fraction ratio of GP to xGnP (alpha = 1/1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/7, and 1/9) on the performance of PV panel are evaluated. The results demonstrated that using the SS-PCMs, maximum temperature reduction of PV panel is from 60.52 degrees C to 44.06 degrees C, while it is 57.62 degrees C for PCM without nanofillers. It is identified that phi = 10% shows the minimum temperature and maximum electrical efficiency for the PV panel. However, the difference between PV temperature and electrical efficiency for phi = 7.5 and phi = 10 are not very remarkable. A small amount of GP and xGnP with alpha = 1/3 achieved the more shape-stabilized and high thermal conductivity PCMs. Finally, SS-PCMs with phi = 10 and alpha = 1/3 had maximum electrical efficiency of 13.50% and power of 80.15 W.