Evaluation of solar panel cooling systems using anodized heat sink equipped with thermoelectric module through the parameters of temperature, power and efficiency

Abstract

• Increasing the surface temperature of solar panels reduces their efficiency and performance. • For every degree increase in ambient temperature, PV panel’s efficiency decreases by 0.5%. • The system's performance in two cooling modes of using a thermoelectric module and natural cooling of the system was compared with free convection. • Use of thermoelectric module with heater could increase the efficiency and power of solar panels by an average of 10.50% and 10.50%, respectively. Today, the importance and usefulness of renewable energies is known to everyone. One of the most widely used renewable energies is solar energy. A challenge in the production of electricity from the solar energy is an increase in the surface temperature of solar cells caused by ambient temperature and operating temperature, which reduces the efficiency and performance of solar photovoltaic systems. For every degree increase in ambient temperature, PV panel’s efficiency decreases by 0.5%. The system developed in this research consists of two main parts: solar panel and cooling units. The system's performance in two cooling modes of using a thermoelectric module and natural cooling of the system was compared with free convection. The results showed that the use of thermoelectric module with heater could increase the efficiency and power of solar panels by an average of 10.50% and 10.50%, respectively. The temperature of the solar panel during the test time was on average about 10.04 °C lower than normal operating conditions. The results of this study showed that the industrial design of solar panels with a system to reduce excess heat from solar radiation – can be useful and effective in increasing overall efficiency through reducing excess heat and increasing efficiency of the panels.