Enhancing thermal performance and energy efficiency in photovoltaic thermal-phase change material systems: A numerical investigation of fin geometry variations

Arifin, Zainal and Rachmanto, Rendy Adhi and Ubaidillah and Juwana, Wibawa Endra and Yohana, Eflita and Widhiyanuriyawan, Denny and Trisnoaji, Yuki and Prasetyo, Singgih Dwi and Mohd Rosli, Mohd Afzanizam (2026) Enhancing thermal performance and energy efficiency in photovoltaic thermal-phase change material systems: A numerical investigation of fin geometry variations. International Journal of Heat and Technology, 44 (1). pp. 201-214. ISSN 0392-8764

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Abstract

Combining Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) technology with Phase Change Material (PCM) offers an effective solution to improve energy efficiency by simultaneously utilizing electrical energy and solar heat under 33 ℃ ambient tropical conditions. This study aims to evaluate the effect of fin geometry variation on the thermal performance and electrical efficiency of paraffin-based Photovoltaic Thermal–Phase Change Material (PVT-PCM) systems in tropical conditions, using ANSYS Fluent and Transient Thermal-based numerical simulation approaches. Three geometric configurations were analyzed, namely finless, triangular fin, and trapezoidal fin, with simulations performed at variations in solar radiation intensity between 400 and 1000 W/m². The simulation results showed that the trapezoidal fin shape produced the highest thermal efficiency of 15.42%, while the triangular shape was more effective in maintaining an even temperature distribution. Statistical analysis using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method indicates that the intensity of solar radiation and the geometric design significantly affect thermal efficiency (P-value < 0.05). These findings provide a solid scientific basis for developing PVT-PCM designs that are more efficient and adaptive to tropical environmental conditions, as well as broaden the understanding of the importance of thermal structure optimization in solar energy storage systems.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Photovoltaic Thermal, Phase Change Material, Computational Fluid Dynamics,, ANSYS
Divisions:	Faculty Of Mechanical Technology And Engineering
Depositing User:	Norfaradilla Idayu Ab. Ghafar
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2026 01:15
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2026 01:15
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/30389
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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