The principal variable to be fixed in the design of a PV cooling duct is its depth, and hence the hydraulic diameter of its cross-section D. Analysis of the flow and heat transfer in the duct under still-air (buoyant flow) conditions, when the temperature rise is greatest, is validated by measurements on a full-scale test rig. It is shown that there is an optimum value of this design variable, such that for an array of length L the minimum temperature occurs when the ratio L/D is about 20. The optimum value is not affected much by other quantities, including the slope of the array.

In practical situations, the flow is obstructed by devices across the duct inlet and outlet to exclude insects, birds and rain, and by structural support members crossing the duct interior. It is shown that the latter are no cause for concern, since the effect of the reduction in the flow-rate due to their presence is more than offset by an increase in heat transfer through additional turbulent mixing.

It is also shown that array temperatures are strongly reduced by wind effects, which increase both the heat lost from the front surface of the array and by enhancement of the flow in the duct. Though the trends are clear, limitations are encountered in the present state of knowledge in both areas. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.