Temperature uniformity analysis of high concentrated photovoltaics (HCPV) arrangement using four quadrant pin fin and porous metal foam heatsink

Abstract

Temperature uniformity across the high-concentrated photovoltaics (HCPV) array plays a key role in the overall performance and longevity of the system. This study numerically investigates the conjugate heat transfer, temperature uniformity, and performance characteristics of pin fin and porous metal foam heatsinks for high-concentrated photovoltaic (HCPV) systems at low mass flow rates (50 g/min to 250 g/min). The study reveals that porous metal foam heatsinks with low porosity (ε = 0.6) consistently provide superior temperature uniformity among the three considered case (ε = 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8) in porous foam and a lower pressure drop at higher mass flow rates compared to pin–fin heatsinks. Specifically, the lowest average temperature (316.78 K) and temperature uniformity index (2.5 %) were achieved at a mass flow rate of 250 g/min for porous metal foam (ε = 0.6). Furthermore, the porous metal foam heatsinks outperformed pin fin heatsinks in terms of higher Nusselt numbers and convective heat transfer coefficients, both of which are inversely proportional to porosity. The porous metal foam heatsinks (ε = 0.6) also demonstrated higher performance evaluation criterion (PEC), with net power gain ranging from 130 W to 138 W. Additionally, this configuration achieved the highest solar cell and overall exergy efficiency, reaching 42.32 % and 52 %, respectively. As such, porous metal foam heatsinks with low porosity is identified as the optimal solution in the current investigation and the porous metal foam heatsinks can be a viable alternative for thermal management and achieving uniformity in temperature distribution for HCPV system as it provides superior hydrothermal performance.

RAS ID

83529

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

8-1-2025

Volume

64

School

School of Engineering

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Elsevier

Identifier

Zahir U. Ahmed: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8191-5875

Comments

Dey, A., Sarker, S., Ahmed, Z. U., & Wang, H. (2025). Temperature uniformity analysis of high concentrated photovoltaics (HCPV) arrangement using four quadrant pin fin and porous metal foam heatsink. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 64, 103818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103818

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