Analysis of temperature distribution in a solar element with posistor layer in the presence of local electric heat source

Abstract

The temperature distribution in a model structure in the form of a solar photovoltaic cell plate with an additional posistor layer based on a polymer matrix with nanocarbon fillers being in thermal contact is determined and investigated in the presence of overvoltages leading to the occurrence of local overheating regions. It is found that the regions of local overheating expand over time and, as a result, they spread over the entire plate of such a structure. The entire structure is heated above the phase transition temperature of the posistor layer for a time interval of the order of several seconds. The posistor layer goes into a low-conductivity state and most of the voltage drops across it. These results substantiate the prospects of using a posistor layer for electrical and thermal protection of solar photovoltaic cells from reverse overvoltages.