Abstract

This study analyzes the efficiency of a solar cell attached to an air circulation jacket. A commercially available silicon solar panel was selected and attached at four spots where the body angle was <TEX>$40-60^{\circ}$</TEX> and voltage (<TEX>$V_{oc}$</TEX>, V), current (<TEX>$I_{sc}$</TEX>, A), and output power (P, W) were measured to determine the efficiency. The solar panel was applied to the outer jacket that operates with two fans to increase the convection that lowers the body temperature. The heavy work of standing, walking, and sweeping of a street sweeper was simulated in the field test. The microclimate within the jacket (with or without a fan) was measured and the subjective thermal, humidity, and comfort sensations were surveyed. SPSS 12.0 statistical package was used for a t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results show that the highest efficiency of the solar cell was at the incident angle of <TEX>$60^{\circ}$</TEX> in terms of voltage, current and output power distribution. The microclimate temperature of the air circulation jacket decreased significantly with the high power of the fan and subjects felt cooler than the jacket with a fan at the incident angle of <TEX>$60^{\circ}$</TEX>. Air circulation jackets operated by a silicon solar panel showed a significant cooling effect on the wearers.

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