Abstract
This paper presents an experimental study of cooling photovoltaic (PV) panels using evaporative cooling. Underground (geothermal energy) water used to extract heat from it during cooling and cleaning of PV panels. An experimental test rig was constructed and tested under hot and dusty climate conditions in Baghdad. An active cooling system was used with auxiliary an underground water tank to provide cold water as a coolant over both PV surfaces to reduce its temperature. The cellulose pad has been arranged on the back surface and sprays cooling on the front side. Two identical PV panels modules used: without cooling and evaporative water cooling. The experiments are comprised of four cases: Case (I): backside cooling, Case (II): front and back cooling (pump supply water every 35 minutes), Case (III): cooling both sides using Arduino controller. Water cooling pump operation depending on the panel temperatures (temperature sensors were installed on the front of the panel), Case (IV): Repeating case III with different water flow rates. Experimental results showed that the average reduction in module temperatures was 4, 8,12.2 and 12.6 ⁰C respectively by Case (I), (II), (III) and (IV) with respect to a non-cooling module. Using evaporative water cooling achieved a total improvement of 1.74%, 2.8%, 15.8%, and 16% in the conversion efficiency of the panel by the Case (I), (II), (III) and (IV) respectively when compared to a non-cooling module.
Highlights
Energy consumption is one of the key factors that contribute directly to enhancing the standards of human living
The remainder is released by reflection or conversion into heat, leading to an increase in the temperature of PV cells more than the standard test conditions (STC)
THE EXPERIMENTAL SETUP In this research, two photovoltaic PV panels were used, one of them was cooled by evaporative cooling techniques, and the other was left without cooling for comparison, Table 1
Summary
Energy consumption is one of the key factors that contribute directly to enhancing the standards of human living. The remainder is released by reflection (re-radiation or convection) or conversion into heat, leading to an increase in the temperature of PV cells more than the standard test conditions (STC). The installation of solar PV panels in tropical and hot climate countries requires the use of cooling techniques to keep the temperature of the PV panel close to the standard condition (25oC) (Fatoni et al, 2019). The high temperature of a solar cell for a long time shortens its service life To achieve both higher PV efficiency and higher electrical output, the PV must be cooled by removing the heat in some way. It was found that the gradual accumulation of dust over a period of eight weeks decreased the spectral transmissivity of the glass from 91% to 46.09%, and reduced its electrical output by 44.16% and COP by 8.53% under the conditions tested. the working temperature of the cell decreases for a given atmospheric environment, while the glazing temperature increases with the accumulation of dust (Vaishak and Bhale, 2019)
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