Abstract
This paper presents the computational modeling of three cooling systems based on three different methods (passive, active, and hybrid), to improve the efficiency of PV panels when operating beyond the recommended temperature under standard test conditions. All simulations were implemented using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. In the passive method, through-holes were made in the solar panel, to allow the transfer of heat by convection due to the air flow. In the active method, water was used to cool the solar panel, spraying it on the front when the operating temperature reaches a threshold value. The analysis includes both fluid dynamics and heat transfer effects. In addition, a hybrid method that uses both passive and active cooling methods simultaneously was implemented. Finally, a mathematical model for the PV panel is presented, which allowed obtaining the changes in the output power from the reduction in the operating temperature. Results demonstrated improvements in the performance of the solar panel with the implementation of the three cooling systems, showing better performance in the active and hybrid methods compared to the passive method.
Highlights
To find the required temperature and simulation date. solutions, in this work fluid mechanics was combined with numerical methods using three key elements: turbulence modeling, mesh construction, and algorithm development. These three elements can be introduced in the simulation with COMSOL Multiphysics, which leads to finding a relationship of the study variables
It is highlighted that this decrease is on average 2.2 ◦ C less than the decrease caused by the active method (Table 8)
Multiphysics software when evaluating mass air flow, due to the behavior of the simulations and the computational costs, which is in line with results obtained in previous turbulence analysis studies [25] and passive cooling strategies for solar panels [26]
Summary
Cristhian Pomares-Hernández 1, *, Edwin Alexander Zuluaga-García 1 , Gene Elizabeth Escorcia Salas 2,3 , Carlos Robles-Algarín 1, * and Jose Sierra Ortega 2, *. Departamento de Física, Universidad Popular del Cesar, Sede Hurtado, Valledupar 200001, Colombia
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