Abstract
Photovoltaic solar cell generates electricity by receiving solar irradiance. The electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cell is adversely affected by the significant increase of cell operating temperature during absorption of solar radiation. This undesirable effect can be partially avoided by fixing a water absorption sponge on the back side of the photovoltaic panel and maintain wet condition by circulation of drop by drop water through sponge. The objective of the present work is to reduce the temperature of the solar cell in order to increase its electrical conversion efficiency. Experiments were performed with and without water cooling. A linear trend between the efficiency and temperature was found. Without cooling, the temperature of the panel was high and solar cells achieved an efficiency of 8–9%. However, when the panel was operated under water cooling condition, the temperature dropped maximally by 40C leading to an increase in efficiency of solar cells by 12%.
Highlights
As the world is facing the problem of energy deficit, global warming and detoriation of environment and energy sources, there is need for an alternative energy resource for power generation other than use of fossil fuels, water and wind
Fossil fuel get depleted in few decades, hydro power plants are depends on annual rainfall and wind power is depends on climate changes
Where η= the photoelectric conversion efficiency (%), Pmax(W) is the maximum power generated from the PV panel, A(m2) is the surface area of the panel, and I(W/m2) is the solar irradiance incident on the panel
Summary
As the world is facing the problem of energy deficit, global warming and detoriation of environment and energy sources, there is need for an alternative energy resource for power generation other than use of fossil fuels, water and wind. Solar energy is one of the comparable candidate for alternate energy source. Solar energy is a very inexhaustible source of energy. Solar energy could be supply all the present and future energy needs of the world on a continuing basis. This makes it one of the most promising of the unconventional energy sources [1,2,3,4]
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