Effect of dual surface cooling of solar photovoltaic panel on the efficiency of the module: experimental investigation

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most widely used renewable energy options around the world. However, its electrical efficiency drops with increasing PV module temperature, it is therefore necessary to find appropriate ways to improve the performance of the module under high temperature conditions. In this study we evaluated the impact of simultaneous dual surface cooling on the PV module's output performance experimentally. The PV module's rear surface was cooled using cotton wick mesh which absorbs water from a perforated pipe and use capillary action to transfer the water down the surface of the rear side of the module. The perforated pipe is strategically positioned at the upper part of the panel and as a result, water from the tank through the holes in the pipe also spread on the front surface of the panel. The experiment recorded a temperature drop of 23.55 °C. This resulted in about 30.3% improvement in the output power of the panel. The cooled PV module also recorded an average efficiency of 14.36% against 12.83% for the uncooled panel. This represent a difference of 1.53% which is 11.9% improvement in the electrical efficiency of the cooled panel. In effect, the proposed approach had a significant positive effect on the energy yield of the PV system.

Keywords

• Photovoltaic panel cooling
• Thermal management
• Efficiency improvement
• Phase change materials
• Cotton wick