Numerical model for two dimensional temperature distribution in photovoltaic panels with experimental validation

Abstract In this paper, we harness fully-explicit finite difference methods to meticulously model and analyze the thermal dynamics within a photovoltaic (PV) module’s stratified architecture. Delving into the thermal progression across the module, we solve the conductive heat transfer equation to unravel the intricate patterns of temperature fluctuation, aiming to elucidate the thermal behavior and its influence on the module’s efficiency. Our investigation traverses the multi-layered composition of a standard solar panel, dissecting its assembly from the protective glass cover to the semiconductor layers, and down to the substrate and Tedlar backsheet. Each constituent is characterized by unique thermal attributes, critically shaping the internal thermal landscape of the module. The boundary conditions employed in our model, which include combined convection and radiation on the front surface and convection at the rear, play a crucial role in accurately simulating the heat transfer processes. To validate the performance of our approach, we conducted an empirical comparison by juxtaposing the temperature profiles derived from the finite difference method at the Tedlar layer against real-world measurements across varied irradiance scenarios. The validation process involved calculating statistical indices such as NMSE, MRSE, COR, FB, FS, MG, and VG, which demonstrated a strong agreement between our model and observed data, confirming the robustness and accuracy of our numerical approach.