Enhancing the overall performance of the hybrid solar photovoltaic collector by open water cycle jet-cooling

Abstract

In this paper, the electrical and thermal performance of hybrid photovoltaic (PV/T) system works with an active cooling open water cycle has been improved. Experimental tests were conducted on the (PV/T) of two cases (with and without reflectors) and the reference photovoltaic (PV) in Iraq - Samarra located at latitude (34.26°N) and longitude (43.89 °C). Several experiments were carried out during June 2021 with a (0.014 kg/s) mass flow rate. Results manifested that the maximum daily electrical, thermal and overall PV/T collector efficiency with reflectors were 10.2%, 82.3%, 92.5%, respectively, with the highest improvement in the electrical power (EP) of 69.4%. This technique has proven its effectiveness in the hot climate that Iraq enjoys (suffers), and that the water jets played their role in decreasing the temperature of the hybrid panel despite the increase in the concentration of solar radiation throughout the presence of reflectors.