Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, while converting solar radiation into electricity, also convert some

of the incoming radiation into internal energy. This leads to an increase in the cell temperature.

Cell efficiency decreases with increasing temperature. At the same time the cells are cooled by

convection and radiative emission, which act to limit the increase in cell temperature.

Consider the large solar PV module shown in the foreground above. The module comprises a

6 x 9 array of individual PV cells, each of which has a size of 2m x 1m.

Consider the following situation. The wind is blowing parallel to the surface of a solar PV

module from left to right as shown. The freestream temperature of the air is 7°C, the wind

speed is 6m/s, and the module's upper surface has a temperature of 34°C.

Estimate the rate of convective heat loss (kW) from the upper surface of the solar PV module.

Assume that the flow is fully turbulent over the entire module and neglect the effect of the small

gaps between the individual PV cells.