Enhanced photovoltaic cooling using ZnO/TiO₂ hybrid nanofluids: numerical and experimental analysis

Abstract

Overheating frequently results in decreased operating efficiency for photovoltaic (PV) panels, which impairs their capacity to efficiently convert solar energy. In order to improve PV system thermal management, this work examines the cooling efficacy of a ZnO/TiO₂ hybrid nanofluid at a concentration of 0.02 %. This study examines the cooling performance of air-cooled, water-cooled, and hybrid nanofluid-cooled PV panels in a new way by combining numerical models with real testing. It focuses on temperature changes and how they affect power production and electrical efficiency. Three identical PV panels were cooled using water, air, and hybrid nanofluid cooling techniques. In order to evaluate temperature variations, electrical efficiency, and power output for every cooling method, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used in conjunction with experimental testing. When compared to air cooling at 1:00 pm., the electrical efficiency using the hybrid nanofluid cooling technique was increased by 12.1 % and by 8.2 % when using water cooling. Notably, water cooling achieved a 7.0 % reduction in panel temperature, while hybrid nanofluid cooling reduced it by 10.4 %. These findings suggest that hybrid nanofluids hold significant potential for improving PV performance, offering an effective solution to enhance solar energy system efficiency.

Keywords

• Photovoltaic (PV) panel efficiency
• Hybrid nanofluid cooling
• ZnO/TiO₂ nanofluid
• Thermal management
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation
• Electrical efficiency enhancement