Enhancing the efficiency of Photovoltaic panel using open-cell copper metal foam fins

Abstract

In this experimental study, a passive cooling technique by open-cell copper metal foam fins was performed for a photovoltaic (PV) panel to enhance its performance by reducing the operating temperature of the PV panel. The experiment was carried out in Baghdad-Iraq climatic conditions during February, March, and April 2019. Three polycrystalline PV panels were used, two panels were equipped with the proposed cooling technique and the other without modification for the purposed of comparing. The open-cell copper metal foam fins mounted on the backside of the PV panel by thermal grease. Four longitudinal fins arrangements (4, 6, 8, and 10 fins) were investigated. The porosity of the metal foam helps the penetration of air through the fins to extract more heat from the PV panel. It was found that the adding of ten longitudinal fins can reduce the average PV panel temperature by about 8.4% and improve the power output by an average of 4.9%.