Improvement in Energy Efficiency of CPV Module by Way of various Active and Passive Cooling Techniques

In a solar cell, amount of light not converted into electricity gets converted into heat. This waste heat induces thermal stresses and increases temperature of the solar cell. Operating temperature of the cell plays vital role in the efficiency, power output and service life. Multi-junction tandem MJT cell is a concentrated photo voltaic cell. It is the most efficient PV cell reported so far in the world. Power output and efficiency of MJT cell depends on the operating temperature. Performance of the solar cell decline with rise in operating temperature. Maximum power, voltage, efficiency and long life can be achieved by effective cooling and by operating the MJT at standard test condition of the cell. Various active and passive cooling techniques reviewed in the present paper. In passive cooling; effectiveness of extended surface, heat pipe and micro fins covered, whereas in active cooling Peltier effect cooling, compressed air, etc., covered. This study will enable us to explore effective cooling system for proposed MJT CPV system to achieve best possible efficiency. The review explores new insight of potential techniques to improve yield of the CPV.