Thermal management of photovoltaic panels using perforated Acp plates under outdoor conditions

Abstract

The operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules is a key factor affecting electrical output because heat accumulation reduces voltage, power generation, and conversion efficiency. This study experimentally evaluated a passive thermal-management method using perforated aluminium composite panel (ACP) plates installed on the rear side of a 100 Wp polycrystalline PV module under outdoor conditions. Three perforation diameters, 20, 22.5, and 25 mm, were compared with an uncooled reference panel. Solar irradiance, PV surface temperature, lower-panel/ACP-plate temperature, voltage, current, output power, and efficiency were monitored during a 14-day outdoor campaign, with the detailed profile reported at 15 min intervals. At the peak irradiance of 1009 W/m², the 25 mm configuration recorded a PV panel surface temperature of 42.2 °C and a perforated ACP plate temperature of 38.5 °C, while producing 65.16 W at 16.25 V and 4.01 A, corresponding to an efficiency of 11.75%. The same configuration reached a maximum instantaneous efficiency of 13.29% and the highest mean performance ratio for the reported profile. These findings show that increasing perforation diameter enhanced rear-side heat removal and improved PV electrical performance without auxiliary cooling power.