INFLUENCE OF ELECTRO-THERMAL PARAMETERS OF POLYMER COMPOSITE FUSES ON THE EFFICIENCY OF SOLAR CELLS

A solar cell system integrated with a conductive polymer composite fuse (CPCF) for passive protection against hot spot formation was numerically investigated. The model, based on differential heat balance equations, simulates diurnal temperature and power dynamics for Stony Brook, NY, on September 3rd, when the fuse is in the high-conductivity state, by considering heat exchange between the solar cell and the CPCF under varying solar irradiance and ambient conditions. Key material and structural parameters—such as thermal contact resistance, CPCF thickness, activation energy, percolation pre-exponential factor, and transition exponent—are varied to evaluate their influence on system performance. Results demonstrate that thermal contact resistance significantly influences temperature distribution between components without substantially affecting power output, while electrical parameters such as activation energy and percolation constants significantly influence power dissipation and overall energy loss. The findings provide a framework for optimizing CPCF design to enhance solar cell reliability and efficiency, offering a cost-effective, passive alternative to conventional hotspot mitigation methods.