Performance of Solar Photovoltaic panel using Forced convection of water-based CuO nanofluid: An Understanding

Abstract

Most of the conventional Solar Photovoltaic module consists of a Silicon cell that converts sunlight into electric energy. The process of conversion into electricity is exothermic and all photons are not able to produce electricity due to insufficient energy. Depending upon efficiency to convert it into electricity only the small amount of radiations are used and rest all are involved in increasing the temperature of the module. Study shows that 80% of incident solar radiation are absorbed by a solar photovoltaic cell. This increases the temperature of the module, reduces its electrical efficiency. This increase in temperature affects the power output and lifespan of the PV module. So to maintain the temperature of the module various cooling methods such as air cooling, hydraulic cooling, heat pipe cooling, cooling with phase change materials and cooling with nanofluids have been reported in the literature. The use of suitable nanofluids is one of the effective methods to increase thermal capacitance and control the temperature rise of the PV module. To increase the performance of the system thermal properties of working fluid must be improved which is achieved by using suitable additives with the base fluid which are referred to as nanofluids. Using Copper oxide/water as a working fluid analysis was performed. It was concluded that performance can be improved significantly if we integrate the system with a good heat exchanger. In this paper, the effect of CuO based nanofluids as a cooling medium for a PV module has been reported.