Efficiency Of Photovoltaic Modules Research Articles

Enhancing photovoltaic operation system efficiency and cost-effectiveness through optimal control of thermoelectric cooling

Solar energy has experienced a surge in utilization, primarily through the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, tapping into its abundant renewable potential. Efficiently cooling the operational surfaces of these PV panels is paramount for optimizing their performance and extending their lifespan. Cooling not only boosts electrical efficiency but also mitigates cell degradation. Temperature plays a crucial role in panel efficiency, particularly when temperatures exceed 25 °C, highlighting the need for effective cooling methods. Previous research has struggled to optimize control without relying on traditional cooling mediums. One promising approach involves attaching thermoelectric coolers (TECs) to the rear of PV panels, effectively reducing surface temperatures. To evaluate the economic viability of this approach, a comparative analysis is conducted between conventional systems and PV-TEC hybrid systems. A mathematical model describing the cooling process of PV modules is formulated, and simulations are carried out using MATLAB and the SCIP (Solving Constrained Integer Programs) in OPTI toolbox. The outcomes illustrate that precise control of TECs can increase the electrical output power efficiency of PV modules by 9.27 % while efficiently regulating surface temperatures. Furthermore, life cycle cost comparisons reveal that the hybrid system may be more cost-effective, boasting a 10.56 % cost saving over a 20-year project lifespan. A break-even point analysis indicates that the proposed system may break even in 6.5 years, demonstrating its potential for long-term economic benefits. This research underscores the significance of thermoelectric cooling in enhancing both performance and economic viability in solar PV systems.

ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE DEGRADATION AND EFFICIENCY OF SOLAR PANELS

The article substantiates the relevance of the issue of researching and analyzing the impact of degradation on the efficiency of solar panels. A brief analysis of the main features of the use of solar panels of various types is carried out, their main characteristics that affect their service life are presented. The main types and causes of degradation of photovoltaic modules, which are associated with both mechanical and environmental influences, as well as with the influence of electrical quantities during the operation of solar panels, are considered in detail. The main conclusions about the most influential degradation factors are obtained, among which it is advisable to highlight the influence of temperature - both the external air temperature and the heating temperature of the solar panel itself - for further study. An analysis of current research on the study of the peculiarities of degradation of photovoltaic modules under the influence of various factors associated with both environmental influences and the influence of electrochemical processes directly in the panel system is carried out. Particular attention is paid to studies of the effect of temperature on their performance. Preliminary experimental measurements of solar panel performance parameters at different light intensities and when the panel is heated in the range from 19 to 78 °C were carried out on the basis of a laboratory setup. Based on the data obtained, a graph of the dependence of the efficiency of a solar PV module on its surface temperature was constructed and it was found that the efficiency of the panel begins to decline actively after the temperature of its surface rises above 50-55°C. To confirm and detail the data obtained, the next task is to conduct similar studies with different types of solar panels and under different operating conditions. Also, the next step will be to further investigate the impact of ambient temperature on the efficiency of photovoltaic modules, as well as to find a specific link between the impact of this temperature on the heating of solar cells and, accordingly, to assess the impact of these parameters on the degradation of solar panels in general.

Simulation and experimental study of grid-connected photovoltaic power plants in a hot desert climate with fixed and dual-axis tracking

ABSTRACT This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the performance of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plants situated in a hot desert climate. The study employs a combination of simulation models and experimental data to assess the impact of two tracking systems – fixed and dual-axis – on the overall efficiency and energy yield of the PV installations. Through detailed simulations, we analyze the dynamic behavior of the PV systems under varying solar irradiance and the atmospheric conditions typical of hot desert environments. The dual-axis tracking system is compared against the conventional fixed-mount system to evaluate its effectiveness in maximizing energy production and improving the overall efficiency of the PV power plants. Experimental data collected from an actual grid-connected PV facility in a hot desert region is incorporated to validate the simulation results and enhance the accuracy of the study. The observed performance metrics include energy output, system reliability, and the impact of environmental factors on long-term sustainability. In general, in all weather conditions, solar tracking provides better yields than a fixed solar module, generating about 32% and 12% more energy in sunny and overcast weather conditions, respectively. Under sunny weather, the two-axis sun tracking system and a fixed tilt angle produce 333.228 kWh and 247.56 kWh of energy, respectively. The energy yield generated on a partly cloudy day by a two-axis sun tracking system and a fixed tilt angle PV system is 281.496 kWh and 257.856 kWh, respectively. In addition, the highest electricity gain for two-axis solar trackers versus fixed PV plants was found to be 34.6%, and the lowest value was found to be 9.16%. The experimental analysis shows that the efficiency of the polycrystalline PV module is 12% and 14% on sunny days and cloudy days, respectively. The comparison between fixed and dual-axis tracking systems contributes to the optimization of PV installations, enabling more informed decisions for sustainable energy production in regions characterized by high temperatures and intense solar radiation. To support the expanding applications of grid-tied PV systems with a sun tracker in the same or comparable location and climate conditions (Saharan environment), these studies have the practical utility of advising and offering helpful feedback to engineers, system designers, contractors, and investors.

Power equalization and optimization of photovoltaic module based on forward-flyback converter

This paper focuses on enhancing the energy extraction efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules through the use of a straightforward power converter and control algorithm. This research delves into the electrical characteristics of PV modules, explaining the concepts of global maximum power point, and local maximum power points. By integrating maximum power point tracking algorithms and differential power processing technology, an innovative scheme for power equalization and optimization of PV modules is introduced. The scheme is based on a single-switch multi-winding forward-flyback converter. Using the STP-340-72-Vfh-type PV module as a case study, a simulation model is developed with PLECS simulation software. The simulations cover 30 different irradiance scenarios. The findings illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed PV module power optimization system in achieving maximum power output under different irradiance conditions, achieving an average efficiency of 94.61%. This efficiency rate is 13.95% greater than that of existing global maximum power tracking schemes.

Determining the influence of mounting angle on the average annual efficiency of fixed solar photovoltaic modules

The object of this study is photovoltaic modules with different options for the angle of their installation to the horizon at different geographical latitudes. The scientific problem to solve was determining the dependence of the average annual efficiency of solar photovoltaic modules on the mounting angle of photovoltaic modules and the value of geographical latitude. It has been proven that the efficiency of installation of solar photovoltaic modules can be increased by reducing the angle of their inclination to the horizon depending on the value of the geographical latitude at which they are installed. The average annual efficiency of photovoltaic modules with different mounting angles to the horizon at different geographical latitudes was determined as the annual weighted average value of the cosine of the angle of incidence of solar rays on the plane of the photovoltaic module. The maximum of the average annual efficiency of photovoltaic modules corresponds to a smaller value of the angle of their installation to the horizon than the value of the geographical latitude. So, with a latitude value of 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, and 60°, the mounting angle of photovoltaic modules to the horizon will be 9.5°, 18.8°, 28°, 37°, 45.8°, and 54°, respectively. A dependence was derived that allows determining the mounting angle of photovoltaic modules to the horizon dependent on the value of the geographical latitude at which they are installed. A mathematical expression was also constructed that makes it possible to determine the average annual efficiency of photovoltaic modules depending on the angle of their installation to the horizon for different values of geographic latitude. The results could be used in calculating the average annual efficiency of photovoltaic modules based on the adjusted values of the angle of their installation to the horizon at different geographical latitudes

Increase in the efficiency and stability of large-area flexible organic photovoltaic modules via improved electrical contact

Increase in the efficiency and stability of large-area flexible organic photovoltaic modules via improved electrical contact

Cascade-Forward, Multi-Parameter Artificial Neural Networks for Predicting the Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Modules in Temperate Climate

Solar energy is a promising and efficient source of electricity in countries with stable and high sunshine duration. However, in less favorable conditions, for example in continental, temperate climates, the process requires optimization to be cost-effective. This cannot be done without the support of appropriate mathematical and numerical methods. This work presents a procedure for the construction and optimization of an artificial neural network (ANN), along with an example of its practical application under the conditions mentioned above. In the study, data gathered from a photovoltaic system in 457 consecutive days were utilized. The data includes measurements of generated power, as well as meteorological records. The cascade-forward ANN was trained with a resilient backpropagation procedure and sum squared error as a performance function. The final ANN has two hidden layers with nine and six nodes. This resulted in a relative error of 10.78% and R2 of 0.92–0.97 depending on the data sample. The case study was used to present an example of the potential application of the tool. This approach proved the real benefits of the optimization of energy consumption.

Enhancing the internal thermal conductivity of hydrogel for efficient passive heat dissipation: Experimental study of a surface simulating a cooled photovoltaic panel

Over 75 % of the absorbed solar energy by photovoltaic (PV) panels is dissipated as heat, leading to a substantial increase in their operating temperature. The temperature rise can adversely affect the energy efficiency and longevity of PV modules. Consequently, efficient cooling technologies are urgently required for PV panels. In this study, an enhanced passive cooling strategy for PV panels was proposed based on evaporative cooling, which employed a composite structure consisting of metal fins and hygroscopic salt hydrogel. The hydrogel demonstrated a water sorption capacity of 1.87 g g−1 after a 16-hour moisture absorption at 25 °C and ∼70 % relative humidity (RH). The fin-hydrogel structure demonstrated an average evaporative cooling power of ∼185 W m−2 over 10 h, resulting in a temperature reduction of ∼16 °C for the simulated PV module under an input heat flux of ∼1000 W m−2. Furthermore, durability and regeneration tests confirmed the feasibility of the fin-hydrogel structure for long-term PV cooling through cyclic water harvesting and release. This innovative cooling strategy offers promising opportunities for effective thermal management and broadens the scope of hydrogel applications, especially in dry areas with low humidity.

Determining Factors to Understand the External Quantum Efficiency Values: Study Carried Out with Copper(I)-I and 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane Coordination Polymers as Downshifters in Photovoltaic Modules.

Downshifters refer to compounds with the capacity to absorb UV photons and transform them into visible light. The integration of such downshifters has the potential to improve the efficiency of commercial photovoltaic modules. Initially, costly lanthanide derivatives and organic fluorescent dyes were introduced, resulting in a heightened module efficiency. In a novel research direction guided by the same physicochemical principles, the utilization of copper(I) coordination compounds is proposed. This choice is motivated by its simpler and more economical synthesis, primarily due to copper being a more abundant and less toxic element. Our proposal involves employing 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethane (bpe), an economically viable commercial ligand, in conjunction with CuI to synthesize coordination polymers: [CuI(bpe)]n(1), [Cu3I3(bpe)3]n(2), and [CuI(bpe)0.5]n(3). These polymers exhibit the ability to absorb UV photons and emit light within the green and orange spectra. To conduct external quantum efficiency studies, the compounds are dispersed on glass and then encapsulated with ethylene vinyl acetate through heating to 150 °C. Interestingly, during these procedural steps, the solvents and temperatures employed induce a phase transformation, which has been thoroughly examined through both experimental analysis and theoretical calculations. The outcomes of these studies reveal an enhancement in external quantum efficiency with [Cu3I3(bpe)3]n(2), at a cost significantly lower (between 340 and 350 times) than that associated with lanthanide DS complexes.

Enhanced Solar Photovoltaic Power Production Approach for Electric Vehicle Charging Station: Economic and Environmental Aspects

In recent years, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are contributing a major share in Thailand and benefit the environment. Most of the EV charging stations are sourced from solar energy as it becomes a carbon-free source of energy production. Secondly, Thailand is rich in solar irradiance, and higher irradiance leads to higher power production. On the other hand, in tropical conditions, solar Photovoltaic (PV) module temperature increases following the solar irradiance due to high ambient temperature, resulting negative impact on the efficiency and lifespan of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Further, to increase PV power production, in this study, different rates of cooling strategies are proposed. The study found that reducing the temperature by 5% to 25% resulted in increased average power outputs of 5947.94W, 6021.43W, 6094.92W, 6168.41W, and 6241W, respectively. Notably, 25% of the cooling rate achieved higher production. However, it is lower than the nominal power production. Following that, economic analysis and environmental impacts are analyzed for Thailand’s EV charging station using a different cooling rate of PV module. Overall, it is concluded that, depending on the economic viability of the EV charging station, cooling technology can be applied, and it will benefit the EV charging station both economically and environmentally. To further enhance the solar PV power production approach for EV charging stations in Thailand, it is imperative to prioritize future endeavors towards optimizing cooling technology, integrating energy storage, and implementing supportive policies.

Passive and Active Techniques for Cooling Photovoltaic Cell using PCM: An Investigation of Recent Advances

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of many renewable energy sources, which converts solar energy directly received into electricity. In recent years, PV has advanced quickly as researchers try to make it more effective. 80% of the solar radiation that hits PV cells is absorbed, but only 12–18% of that energy is converted into electricity, with a maximum conversion rate of 24%. This indicates that a significant amount of sunlight is lost irretrievably. when a significant portion of the solar energy that is absorbed but not used by the photovoltaic process is converted to heat, which causes PV cells' operating temperature to increase above their design temperature, Consequently, the cell's effectiveness declines as a result of this increase. The crystalline silicon-based PV cells’ efficiency drops by 0.5% for each Celsius increase in temperature of operating. When operating temperature of cell exceeds design temperature, open-circuit voltage decreases significantly while the closed-circuit current slightly increases. Research has shown that PCMs can be applied in a variety of ways to enhance performance of PV cells, including as a coating applied directly onto the surface of the modules, as a heat exchanger in contact with module's back, or as an integrated component within the module itself. One recent advancement in the area of PCM-based cooling of PV modules is the development of hybrid cooling systems that combine PCMs with other cooling methods, such as air or water cooling. These hybrid systems have been shown to significantly improve the temperature stability and efficiency of PV modules compared to single PCM-based systems. PCMs have unique thermal properties that make them suitable for use in cooling systems because they can store and release thermal energy when phase transitions occur due to their high latent heat capacities. Recommendations for the use of phase change materials in Photovoltaic cooling, continue to research and develop new phase change material-based cooling systems that are more stable, have higher thermal conductivity and are effective in a wider range of temperatures.

Wind Velocity and Forced Heat Transfer Model for Photovoltaic Module

This study proposes a computational model to define the wind velocity of the environment on the photovoltaic (PV) module via heat transfer concepts. The effect of the wind velocity and PV module is mostly considered a cooling effect. However, cooling and controlling the PV module temperature leads to the capability to optimize the PV module efficiency. The present study applied a nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) condition of the PV module as a reference condition to determine the wind velocity and PV module temperature. The obtained model has been examined in contrast to the experimental heat transfer equation and outdoor PV module performance. The results display a remarkable matching of the model with experiments. The model’s novelty defines the PV module temperature in relation to the wind speed, PV module size, and various ambient temperatures that were not included in previous studies. The suggested model could be used in PV module test specification and provide analytical evaluation.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ КОНЦЕНТРИРОВАННОГО СОЛНЕЧНОГО ИЗЛУЧЕНИЯ ИНФРАКРАСНЫМ ДЛЯ ИЗМЕРЕНИЯ ТЕПЛОВЫХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК ТЕПЛОФОТОЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКОГО МОДУЛЯ СОЛНЕЧНОЙ КОНЦЕНТРАТОРНОЙ УСТАНОВКИ

When developing renewable energy conversion devices, more and more attention is being paid to improving the efficiency of using renewable energy. The efficiency of modern mass-produced solar photovoltaic modules is about 20 percent. In order to increase the completeness of the use of solar energy, the direction of thermal photovoltaic systems is receiving significant development. Devices of this type realize the task of recycling the remaining 80 percent of energy into heat for its subsequent use. The conversion of concentrated solar energy into photoelectricity and heat is carried out by a thermal photovoltaic module. The study of its photovoltaic and thermal parameters is one of the main tasks when creating an appropriate installation. (Research Purpose) The research purpose is developing a methodology and creating a laboratory installation for studying the thermal characteristics of a thermal photovoltaic module. (Materials and methods) The design of the thermal photovoltaic module is presented. The spectral characteristics of the photodetector surface of the module in the visible and infrared spectral ranges have been studied by dispersion and Fourier spectroscopy. (Results and discussion) The analysis of the results of the study of the reflection spectra in the visible and infrared spectral ranges along with the spectral density of the infrared Planck radiation for the temperatures of the infrared emitter in the region of 250-300 degrees Celsius is carried out. The conversion coefficients of the intensities of concentrated solar radiation into the density of the Stefan-Boltzmann infrared radiation flux are obtained. A test measurement of the stationary temperature of the coolant at the output of the module was carried out, according to which the flux density of the heating infrared radiation was calculated. This value is correctly consistent with the independently measured intensity of infrared radiation. (Conclusions) A laboratory measuring stand has been created to simulate concentrated solar radiation with infrared radiation of the thermal range to measure the thermal characteristics of the thermal photovoltaic module of a solar concentrator installation.

Comparative experiment on the efficiency of water cooling in photovoltaic modules in the climatic conditions of Southern Russia

The problems of ensuring the safety of operation of nuclear power plants are always paid increased attention. In addition to the self-contained diesel generator sets used to maintain the operation of safety systems in case of loss of external power supply, it is also advisable to consider the use of more environmentally friendly self-contained photovoltaic units at this stage. The work is aimed at a comparative experimental study of the efficiency of water cooling in real natural climatic conditions of Southern Russia. In this experiment, cooled and uncooled photovoltaic modules are simultaneously exposed to a complex of variable weather factors: solar radiation, cloudiness, wind, pressure, temperature and humidity of the environment. Both modules have loads connected via MPPT controllers. The effect of water cooling on the energy efficiency of photovoltaic modules assembled from silicon heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cells was studied. The solar panels were made from 130 micron thick HJT cells interconnected using SmartWire contact technology. It reduces power loss due to possible defects such as cracks. The conditions for ensuring the highest degree of similarity between the parameters of the cooled and uncooled modules have been met. A comparative experimental study was conducted in Astrakhan State University using a long-term monitoring system for the characteristics of photovoltaic modules. This is a test photovoltaic system (TPS), built on the basis of the Paragraph PL2 electronic recorder. A significant increase in module output when working with cooling was established. At insolation of 987.5 W/m2, the power generated by the cooled module was 93.0297 W, while the power of the module without cooling was 79.306 W. The difference comprised 13.7237 watts. Power increased by 17%. In the experiment, the average efficiency value when the module was cooled was 0.15977. When uncooled, it was 0.13764. The efficiency intensified by 2.21%. This increase is significant. The results obtained confirm the fairly high efficiency of water cooling in photovoltaic modules in real natural operating conditions for regions with high ambient temperatures, Southern Russia, in particular

Investigation of the performance enhancement of building-integrated photovoltaic system using evaporative porous clay applied in different building's directions

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules with building's facades and roofs results in significant reduction in the PV module's efficiency owing to its temperature rising, as well as increasing in the building's indoor thermal gain. Thus, this study proposed cost-effective and eco-friendly passive cooling technique utilizing evaporative porous clay material to minimize the integrated PV module's temperature. An experimentally validated numerical study is being performed using different clay thickness and porosity to estimate the expected enhancement in the thermal and electrical performance of the building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system. The experimental tests were carried out using prototype of small rooms integrated with PV panels installed with a water-saturated porous clay material to validate the presented transient numerical heat and mass transfer model. After that, the proposed system is being compared with another passive cooling mechanism using phase change material (PCM), and the results are then analyzed and compared. The findings showed a maximum reduction of 19.1 °C and 12.8 °C of peak PV temperature when the porous clay and PCM are utilized, while the building's side temperature reduced by around 11.2 °C and 10.9 °C, respectively. Further, porous clay achieved up to 9.8 % improvement in PV system's efficiency, with a maximum water consumption rate reached around 3.35 L/h.m2. Moreover, applying such a porous clay cooling approach resulted in a maximum reduction of 53.8 % in the building's annual thermal load. In the outcomes reported here, porous clay with the least thickness and highest porosity achieved more feasible cooling effects compared with PCM.

Solar insolation and PV module temperature impact on the actual grid connected solar photovoltaic system in German Malaysian Institute

German Malaysian Institute (GMi) has a great potential for utilising solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity. In this study, the performance of a 3kW grid-connected solar PV (GCSPV) system is monitored using Sunny Portal web in conjunction with Sunny SensorBox. The daily solar energy that strikes a PV array cannot be totally transformed into grid-compatible electricity. As a result of power losses, the production of solar PV systems falls short of expectations. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of solar insolation and PV module temperature on the actual output of the GCSPV system compared to the predicted output system by considering elements that affect the conversion of solar power to electrical power in GCSPV systems. The study prediction method based on calculations was carried out. Prediction of output system considered all losses, including efficiency of PV module, solar insolation, temperature of PV module, dirt, manufacturer’s tolerance and module mismatch, the voltage drop in DC cables to inverter, and inverter efficiency. The data indicate that the average power generation is 7.26% lower than predicted by the system. The GCSPV system’s performance efficiency is diminished by the temperature increase and somewhat enhanced by an increase in solar insolation. Temperature has a crucial impact in the energy conversion process of PV module. The effectiveness of the PV module in generating energy and power is dependent on its operating temperature.

A novel two-step optimization approach for film water cooling of a photovoltaic module in real ambient conditions

Efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules decreases as they get warmer in real working conditions. One way to address this issue is to apply water-film cooling on the front surface of a PV module. In order to circulate water over the surface of a module, a power-consuming pumping system is required. This paper presents a novel two-step optimization algorithm for improving the water-film cooling system to maximize the net energy generation of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. In the first step, the fluctuations of the optimal water flow rate during a specified day are calculated and then ideal water flow rates on daily and monthly basis are determined. Since the value of the optimum specific water flow rate is a nonlinear function of ambient conditions, it was calculated through an iterative algorithm. In the second step, the appropriate activation time interval for a water-cooling system was determined to furthermore maximize power gain and minimize energy consumption. By optimizing both water flow rate and cooling system timing, a significant improvement in net efficiency was achieved, increasing from 13.98%, 13.85%, and 13.87% in June, July, and August to 14.82%, 14.86%, and 14.80% in Shiraz, Iran.

Comprehensive analysis of dust impact on photovoltaic module temperature: Experimental insights and mathematical modeling

Dust accumulation substantially impacts the efficiency and thermal behavior of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Addressing a current knowledge gap, this article presents a comprehensive assessment of the impact of dust on PV module temperature. This endeavor includes a combination of systematic experiments with a novel developed mathematical model that uniquely incorporates key dust parameters such as emissivity, absorbance, and transmittance. The model enhances accuracy in estimating PV module temperature compared to existing mathematical models, which often overlook heat absorption due to dust and specific dust characteristics. These parameters are measured using specialized devices to ensure realistic values. Outdoor experiments are conducted to validate the model's predictions under real weather conditions, further highlighting the importance of accurate PV temperature estimation in dusty environments. Additionally, a comparative analysis is performed with existing mathematical models for PV temperature prediction, demonstrating the superior performance of the proposed model, which achieves the lowest average prediction error (mean absolute error of 1.4). These findings provide valuable insights into the estimation of PV temperature in dusty conditions, bridging the gap between theoretical modeling and practical application and underscoring the novelty and innovation introduced in this research.

State-of-the-art review of MPPT techniques for hybrid PV-TEG systems: Modeling, methodologies, and perspectives

The development of alternative renewable energy technologies is crucial for alleviating climate change and promoting energy transformation. Of the currently available technologies, solar energy has promising application prospects owing to its merits of being clean, safe, and sustainable. Solar energy is converted into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells; however, the overall conversion efficiency of PV modules is relatively low, and most of the captured solar energy is dissipated in the form of heat. This not only reduces the power generation efficiency of solar cells but may also have a negative impact on the electrical parameters of PV modules and the service life of PV cells. To overcome the shortcomings, an efficient approach involves combining a PV cell with a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to form hybrid PV-TEG systems, which simultaneously improve the energy conversion efficiency of the PV system by reducing the operating temperature of the PV modules and increasing the power output by utilizing the waste heat generated from the PV system to generate electricity via the TEGs. Based on a thorough examination of the literature, this study comprehensively reviews 14 maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms currently applied to hybrid PV-TEG systems and classifies them into five major categories for further discussion, namely conventional, mathematics-based, metaheuristic, artificial intelligence, and other algorithms. This review aims to inspire advanced ideas and research on MPPT algorithms for hybrid PV-TEG systems.

Optimizing performance of water-cooled photovoltaic-thermal modules: A 3D numerical approach

To evaluate and improve the efficiency of photovoltaic solar modules connected with linear pipes for water supply, a three-dimensional numerical simulation is created and simulated via commercial software (Ansys-Fluent). The optimization utilizes the principles of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics by employing the Response Surface Method (RSM). Various design parameters, including the coolant inlet velocity, tube diameter, panel dimensions, and solar radiation intensity, are systematically varied to investigate their impacts on energetic and exergitic efficiencies and destroyed exergy. The relationship between the design parameters and the system responses is validated through the development of a predictive model. Both single and multi-objective optimizations are performed using the predictive model to optimize the thermal and electrical productivity under different scenarios. The findings indicate the significance of the thermal exergy effectiveness, as evidenced by its low P-value for all solar system responses, indicating its crucial role in the predictive model. For single-objective optimization, the desirability is equal to 1 in cases where only heat transfer efficiency, whole energy effectiveness, or thermal exergy efficiency is maximized or only destroyed exergy is minimized. The improvements in energy and exergy efficiencies range from 3.55% to 69.13%, with the amount of destroyed exergy reduced by 81.47% compared to the base case. For multi-objective optimization, desirability values exceeding 0.829 and 0.655 are obtained for single and multi-objective scenarios, respectively, indicating that the expected performance is within desirable limits. The findings provide valuable insights for designing high-efficiency photovoltaic/thermal systems and addressing their challenges and limitations.