Yassine El Alami

The operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules plays a decisive role in their overall performance. To ensure reliable evaluation, an accurate estimation of this temperature is required. Against this background, the present study develops an analytical model capable of accurately predicting the thermal profile, both spatial and temporal, of PV modules while simplifying the process of estimating system parameters. The validity of the model is confirmed by comparison with experimental data and seven models from the literature. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed model, with the lowest prediction errors, as indicated by RMSEs ranging from 0.345°C to 1.215°C and MBEs between 0.333°C and 1.044°C. Additionally, the annual performance of a polycrystalline PV module was investigated in a semi‐arid environment. It was observed that, despite a lower irradiance (604.6 W/m²), the winter season offers the best efficiency (almost 15%), in contrast to the summer season, where efficiency drops to 12.98% despite a higher irradiance (634.17 W/m²). These results underline both the reliability of the proposed model and the major influence of climatic conditions on PV system performance.

The current work investigates approaches to augment photovoltaic (PV) panels through phase change material (PCM) systems' efficiency, with the addition of aluminum fins and varying angles of inclination. A two‐dimensional numerical simulation using the enthalpy–porosity method was conducted in ANSYS Fluent for modeling PCM melting behavior. This research studied five cases of PCMs (for the same fin area and size) at five angles of inclination (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°). The results show good agreement with literature values. PV tilt angle's influence on heat dissipation for conduction and natural convection ratio in PCM is significant. Case 3 configuration (90° inclination) exhibits the best performance of all configurations: lowest PV temperature (318.2 K), highest electrical efficiency (11.83%), maximum thermal efficiency (46.7%), maximum melting fraction transport (0.47), and maximum overall efficiency (58.61%). Case 3 exhibits a temperature improvement of 3.36 K in comparison to the worst‐performing setup at 150° (Case 5) values with increases of 1.72% in electrical efficiency, 23.2% in thermal efficiency, 34.3% in melting fraction, and an 18.8% improvement in overall efficiency. Past studies have looked at the geometry of the fins, while this current study looks at the orientation of the fins. The study confirms that the 90° fin angle (which is least obstructive to vertical thermal transfer) is ideal to optimize the PV‐PCM systems' efficiency under the current boundary conditions.

Enhancing the photovoltaic (PV) panels' thermal‐electrical performance by incorporating phase change material (PCM) with aluminum fins into the design was the main goal of this article. This was achieved by conducting a two‐dimensional numerical enthalpy–porosity technique using ANSYS Fluent 17.2 for the PCM's melting simulation. Nine total configurations were tested, varying fin density (7, 14, and 28 fins) and fin length (short, medium, and long). The numerical results were confidently validated against those reported in the literature, confirming a strong agreement. Rising fin number per unit area allowed for more innovative ways to spread heat, which improved the electrical performance. The configuration with the most fins per area and the most extended fins (Configuration I) showed an improved electrical performance of 5.8% compared to the configuration with the fewest fins per area and the shortest fins (Configuration D). There was an increase in the PCM melt fraction of 18.4% between the configuration with the least fins per area and the most fins per area. Once beyond the medium‐length fin, increasing fin length provided marginally better performance improvements (~1.8%). In contrast to previous studies that have examined either fin number or fin length, this study has explored both variables simultaneously in a systematic manner to determine which variable is the more dominant parameter impacting PV‐PCM performance. According to this study, fin density was found to be a more important variable than fin length, and Configuration I was determined to be the thermal and electrical optimum for a PV‐PCM geometry, given the initial conditions of this study.

An innovative channel box photovoltaic thermal system was proposed and investigated to overcome the limitations of sheet‐and‐tube‐type systems, including high‐pressure drops, nonuniform heat distribution, and low electrical and thermal efficiencies. The new configuration of the heat exchanger was analyzed, and the manifold height and channel number were varied to determine the optimum design. The effect of solar irradiance on system performance was also calculated. Simulations were conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics, a finite element method, and corroborated against numerical/experimental data from the literature. All systems studied exhibit lower pressure drops than conventional photovoltaic thermal sheet‐and‐tube systems, with the photovoltaic thermal system 5 standing out for its optimum performance, showing a pressure drop of 38.8 Pa and electrical, thermal, and overall efficiencies of 12.66%, 69.79%, and 82.46%, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in irradiance leads to a rise in cell temperature and fluid outlet temperature, as well as an increase in electrical and thermal power, while the electrical and thermal efficiencies of photovoltaic thermal system 5 decrease by 0.84% and 0.05%, respectively, for each 100 W/m ² increase.

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is generally perceived as well‐developed but suffers a drop in performance at high temperatures. Faced with this problem, researchers are turning to PV thermal (PVT) systems, which integrate electricity production and thermal energy. Flat‐plate PVT systems are the most widely adopted among the various configurations. This article is distinguished by an in‐depth analysis of flat‐plate PVT systems, drawing on a detailed analysis of recent research. It summarizes the numerous studies on the different layers of PVT systems, providing an overview of advances in this field. The materials used for absorbers and tubes are explored, providing information on their properties and applications and on the research being carried out to optimize their efficiency. The analysis also focuses on heat exchanger, tube, and channel configurations, highlighting innovations to improve their performance. Methods for integrating absorbers and tubes with PV panels, the most efficient types of PV cells, and working fluids for optimizing heat transfer and thermal performance are also discussed. Finally, an overview of software tools for simulating PVT systems and a summary of research on each software tool are provided to help researchers select the most appropriate tools for their modeling. Recommendations for further improvements to the viability of these systems are also provided.

Design and realization of a descretized PV system with an improved MPPT control for a better exploitation of the PV energy