Abstract
The crisis of fossil fuel and progress in automotive technology, it is necessary to quest for alternative to fossil fuel for automobiles. Utilising solar photovoltaic (PV) panel in automobiles for power generation is efficient means to convert solar energy into electrical energy. A flat solar PV panel on car roof raises the drag force and reduces performance of vehicle, which can be overcome by using solar flexible photovoltaic (FPV) panels. The prime aim of study is to investigate the performance of curved solar FPV panel at various curve angles and flat solar FPV panel. The experiments were conducted for flat and curved solar FPV panels with single-axis tracking mechanism. With increase in solar radiation intensity, increase in power generated and efficiency of flat and curved solar FPV panels was observed. With an increase in curve angle, reduction in percentage of power generated and efficiency of curved solar FPV was observed than flat solar FPV panel. The power generated and efficiency of curved solar FPV panel at lower curve angle, α = 6 ∘ was observed nearly equal to that of flat solar FPV panel. The lower curve angle curved solar FPV panel installation on car roof provides an aerodynamic shape and able to reduce drag force. Highlights Comparative study of curved and flat solar FPV panels conducted. Effect of curve angles was studied on the performance of curved solar FPV panels. Reduction in power generated from curved solar FPV panel with an increase in curve angle. Reduction in the efficiency of curved solar FPV panel with an increase in curve angle. Equal performance of flat and curved solar FPV panels was found at low curve angle.
Published Version
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