Thermal management of photovoltaic module using affordable organic phase change material combined with nano metal oxide particles enhancer

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely recognized as a highly efficient medium for thermal energy storage. Many studies have identified the low thermal conductivity of PCMs. In the current investigation, the researchers have blended PCM with nanoparticles to enhance its thermal conductivity and electrical efficiency. Lauric acid (LA) is combined with three different nanoparticles: aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), copper oxide (CuO), and magnesium oxide (MgO) in an optimal weight proportion of 94: 6. This results in the production of nanoparticle composited phase change materials (nc-PCMs). Lauric acid and these nanoparticles are chosen based on their ability to provide a significantly lower cost compared to commercial nanoparticles, availability in Thailand, and high thermal conductivity. Additionally, this investigation selected lauric acid (fatty acid) as the PCM due to Thailand's ambient temperature (T_amb) of 38 °C. Consequently, the optimum PCM has a melting point between 41 °C and 44 °C. Research has demonstrated that the incorporation of nanoparticles increases thermal conductivity, resulting in a decrease in the PV module's temperature. The findings indicate that a combination of LA and MgO in a proportion of 94:6 constitutes the optimal nc-PCM. This composition demonstrated a 5.2 °C reduction in PV module temperature, which resulted in a notable enhancement in the average electrical efficiency of 14.11 %. Furthermore, the power output increased significantly to 14.18 %. Additionally, it compared the energy production of PV modules with nc-PCMs to that of modules without PCM. It measured the energy production differences between LA: MgO, LA: Al₂O₃, and LA: CuO at 4.38 Wh, 2.99 Wh, and 2.62 Wh, respectively, when compared to PV without cooling.