EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF PHOTO-VOLTAIC MODULE PERFORMANCE VIA CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT WATER COOLING TECHNIQUES

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 87 [email protected]

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 6, Issue 7, Jul 2015, pp. 87-98, Article ID: IJMET_06_07_011

Available online at

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JTypeIJMET&VType=6&IType=7

ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication

___________________________________________________________________________

EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL

INVESTIGATION OF PHOTO-VOLTAIC

MODULE PERFORMANCE VIA

CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT

WATER COOLING TECHNIQUES

Ali M. Rasham, Hussein K. Jobair and Akram A. Abood Alkhazzar

Department of Energy Engineering / College of Engineering University of Baghdad

ABSTRACT

Experimental and numerical investigation of photovoltaic solar modules

(PVSMs) performance via continuous water cooling technique (CCT) and

intermittent water cooling techniques (ICT) has been investigated in present

work. A New cooling technique had submitted for the (PVSM) as compared to

previous works. In addition to analyze the enhancement for (PVSMs)

temperature, cooling rate, output power, output energy, fill factor, and

electrical efficiency. Experimental data were tabulated of (PVSMs) for both

cooling techniques. A mathematical model for (PVSMs) were formulated.

MATLAB code has been developed and written to solve mathematical model.

Numerical integration of (1/3) Simpson's rule was used to estimate the energy

enhancement. The average values of cooling rate for (ICT), and (CCT) were

(3.4804 ℃ �� )⁄ and (3.1617 ℃ �� )⁄ respectively, than for non-cooling

(PVSM). the enhancement of the output power, fill factor, electrical efficiency

for (ICT), and (CCT) were (7.349 %) and (5.587 %), (6.313 %) and (2.630 %),

(8.389 %) and (6.826 %) respectively, than for non-cooling (PVSM). The energy

enhancement for (ICT) was (6. 308 %) for current work. By contrast, there were

losses in energy for (CCT). Consequently, According to the obtained results,

the enhancement for all parameters mentioned above were the better for (ICT)

than for (CCT).

Key words: Optimisation of Solar Cells, Film Cooling, Cooling System of

Solar Cells, Increasing Efficiency of Photovoltaic, Performance Enhancement

of PV Solar Cells.

Cite this Article: Rasham, A. M., Jobair, H. K. and Alkhazzar, A. A. A.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Photo-Voltaic Module

Performance via Continuous and Intermittent Water Cooling Techniques.

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 6(7), 2015,



pp. 87-98.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JTypeIJMET&VType=6&IType=7

_____________________________________________________________________

1. INTRODUCTION

Iraq was began to use renewable energy resources especially, with the successive

depletion of conventional resources. The burning of conventional fossil fuels leads to

atmosphere Pollution. In Iraq, abundance of land and sunny weather made it a good

resource for solar energy applications. Consequently, renewable energy systems has

become a good alternative way to facing this crisis. Solar photovoltaic systems have

solution for the energy demand, which converts solar radiation into direct current

electricity using semiconductors that display the Photovoltaic effect. Obviously, in

order to decrease the cost of photovoltaic production, increasing the efficiency and

collecting more energy had been focused. For that, the emphatic efforts are being

made in this field. Even though, the efficiency of the photovoltaic system is low and

is affected by solar radiation, temperature, dust, wind velocity, and humidity, the solar

photovoltaic market grows a rapid rate. The majority of a previous researches used the

(CCT) cooling system. In this paper, a comparison between the (CCT) and (ICT) has

been investigated. The main aims were to submit a new cooling technique for the

(PVSM), enhance output power, output energy, Fill factor, and efficiency. Indeed, the

water used as a practical coolant for solar panels. Salih Mohammed Salih, etc., [1]

presented experimentally the Performance enhancement of PV array based on water

spraying technique. The economical results were achieved as result of the power

saving increases 7w/degree at midday. Jothi Prakash k, etc., [2] analyzed the

optimisation of solar PV panel output: a viable and cost effective solution. The

cooling rate for the solar cells is 2.3 ℃/min based on the concerned operating

conditions, which means that the cooling system will be operated each time for 10

min, in order to decrease the module temperature by 7℃. Abdelrahman, M, etc., [3]

offered the experimental investigation of different cooling methods for photovoltaic

module. The results show that the daily output power of the PV cooling module

increased up to 22 %, 29.8% and 35% for film cooling, back cooling and combined

film back cooling module, respectively compared to non-cooling module. L.

Dorobanțu, etc., [4] investigated the experimental assessment of PV Panels front

water cooling strategy. The open voltage of the panels is increasing when its

temperature decreasing and due to the lower operating temperature, its life cycle

could be increased. Loredana Dorobanţu, etc., [5] studied the Increasing the

efficiency of photovoltaic panels through cooling water film. For mono-crystalline

silicon cells, the reduced power is (0.4% /°C). Due to the front water cooling of the panel,

the electrical yield has return a plus of about 9.5%. Ana-Maria Croitoru, etc., [6]

reviewed the water cooling of photovoltaic panels from passive house located inside

the university Politehnica of Bucharest. This article has attempted to present a way to

increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. It is a water cooling system, which

functions as a heat exchanger. With this system the panel's temperature decreases, so

the electricity production is increased. T. Chinamhora, [7] introduced the PV Panel

Cooling System for Malaysia Climate Conditions. During clear days, the cooling

system increases the electrical efficiency by around 10-22% whereas during cloudy

days, the cooling system decreases the electrical efficiency by 3-20%. K.A.

Moharram, etc., [8] researched the Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic panels

by water cooling. Based on the heating and cooling rate models, it is found that the

PV panels yield the highest output energy if cooling of the panels starts when the

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Photo

Continuous and Intermittent Water Cooling Techniques

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp

temperature of the PV panels reaches a

temperature between the out

cooling. Stefan Krauter, [

water flow over the front of photovoltaic panels.

clean, and reduces reflection by

the electrical yield can return a surplus of 10.3%; a net

even when accounting for power needed to run the pump.

proposed Modelling and Analysis of

water in order to cool the panel while the latter uses air as the coolant. The results of

the project showed that the most efficient and promising system is the water cooled

photovoltaic.

2. METHODOLOGY

The increasing in the ambient temperature at which PV systems work, had adversely

effect on the PV module efficiency.

method to reduce the PV temperatures and to enhance the PV performance. In this

paper, the (CCT) and (ICT)

2.1. Experimental Equipment

Two identical Mono-crystalline solar photovoltaic modules were used with same

orientation (facing south and tilted with 45

connected to the close loop hydration cooling system, and the second stayed

water cooling, as shown in Fig

Table (1).

(a)

Figure 1 PVSMs: (a) with water

Table 1 Technical specifications of Mono

Area �

0.460525 �� 21.8 (�

The cooling system consist of a

a perforated pipe with equally distance holes

module, used to distribute a thin water layers over a front face of

storage tank used to collect the falling wate

for domestic applications, buildings, and other applications,

areas. On clear day of May 24, 2015 the tests were done under the outdoor exposure

in Baghdad city with latitude of

Laboratory of Energy Engineering

(PVSMs) were connected to Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A used to test the

characteristics (V��,I��,P��

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Photo-Voltaic Module Performance via


ET/index.asp 89 [email protected]

temperature of the PV panels reaches a (MAT) of 45�. The (MAT) is a compromise

output energy from the PV panels and the energy needed for

[9] showed experimentally the Increased electrical yield via

water flow over the front of photovoltaic panels. Water help keeping the surface

reduces reflection by 2–3.6%, decreases cell temperatures up to 22

the electrical yield can return a surplus of 10.3%; a net-gain of 8–9% can be achieved

even when accounting for power needed to run the pump. Efstratios Chaniotakis

Modelling and Analysis of Water Cooled Photovoltaic. The former uses



METHODOLOGY

ambient temperature at which PV systems work, had adversely

PV module efficiency. Nowadays, the PV cooling is the common


paper, the (CCT) and (ICT) are shown below as follows:

Experimental Equipment

crystalline solar photovoltaic modules were used with same

orientation (facing south and tilted with 45o from the horizon). One of them was

connected to the close loop hydration cooling system, and the second stayed

, as shown in Fig. (1). The (PVSM) specifications were mentioned in

(b)

(a) with water film cooling and (b) without water film cooling.

Technical specifications of Mono-crystalline (PVSM)

��

�) 3.25 (�) 17.2 (�) 2.9 (�)

The cooling system consist of a submersible pump (8W) used to pump the water,

a perforated pipe with equally distance holes connected on the top end of

, used to distribute a thin water layers over a front face of (

storage tank used to collect the falling water. The discharge hot water is very useful

for domestic applications, buildings, and other applications, especially in the remote

May 24, 2015 the tests were done under the outdoor exposure

in Baghdad city with latitude of 33.33° and longitude of43.33Energy Engineering department for University of Baghdad. The

connected to Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A used to test the

��), Solar Power Meter TES1333R used to measure the

Voltaic Module Performance via

[email protected]

is a compromise

panels and the energy needed for

Increased electrical yield via

help keeping the surface

3.6%, decreases cell temperatures up to 22� and

9% can be achieved

Efstratios Chaniotakis, [10]

The former uses



ambient temperature at which PV systems work, had adversely

Nowadays, the PV cooling is the common


crystalline solar photovoltaic modules were used with same

from the horizon). One of them was

connected to the close loop hydration cooling system, and the second stayed without

were mentioned in

film cooling and (b) without water film cooling.

PVSM).

��

50 (!)

W) used to pump the water,

connected on the top end of PV solar

(PVSM) and, a

The discharge hot water is very useful

especially in the remote

May 24, 2015 the tests were done under the outdoor exposure

33°, Beside the

University of Baghdad. The

connected to Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A used to test the

), Solar Power Meter TES1333R used to measure the

Ali M. Rasham, Hussein K.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp

total incident solar radiation, and finally, a pump used to pump thin layers of water

over a front face of PV solar module

(PVSMs) and ambient temperature

10) attached firmly to the back of the module.

(a)

Figure 2 (a) Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A, (b) Solar Power Meter TES1333R,

2.2. Experimental Procedure

(CCT) and (ICT) were used in this work to identify the best technique

Two identical (PVSMs) were used, the film water spraying over a front face of the

first (PVSM), from perforated pipe

techniques. While, the second

radiation, temperatures of ambient and of both

circuit current, and finally the output power, were measured.

techniques, one of the (PVSMs)

the beginning of experiment.

this test the pump kept on continuous work for (35 minute), and the above parameters

were measured every (5 minutes).

10:55 am to 11:30 am, in this test the pump was turned on for (0.5 minute) and turned

off for (3 minutes). At the end of each cooling period the measurement

mentioned were tabulated in table

3. MATHEMATICAL MODEL

The quality of (PVSM) can be predicted by the fill factor (FF), which is affected by

the module surface temperature. It represents the ratio of maximum output power to

the multiplication of the short circuit curre

[11, p.478].

The electrical output power (

efficiency "#� of (PVSMs)

# $

The net output power and enhancement of

Eqs. (4) and (5) respectively.

%&% $ ⟨""Δ


ET/index.asp 90 [email protected]


PV solar module, as shown in Fig. (2). The temperature

PVSMs) and ambient temperature were measured by a digital thermometer (TPM

10) attached firmly to the back of the module.

(b)

(c)

(a) Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A, (b) Solar Power Meter TES1333R,

(c): A submersible pump.

Experimental Procedure

were used in this work to identify the best technique

were used, the film water spraying over a front face of the

, from perforated pipe connected on the top end of (PVSMs)

. While, the second (PVSMs) remained without cooling.

radiation, temperatures of ambient and of both (PVSMs), open circuit voltage, short

and finally the output power, were measured. For both cooling

PVSMs) was sprayed by thin water layers for (10 min) before

the beginning of experiment. The (CCT) had begun from 10:10 am to 10:45 am, in


were measured every (5 minutes). After (10 minutes), the (ICT) was began from


off for (3 minutes). At the end of each cooling period the measurement

mentioned were tabulated in table (2) and (3) respectively.

MATHEMATICAL MODEL



the multiplication of the short circuit current (*+,� and the open circuit voltage

-- $ .%/01 "�2, 3 *+,⁄ �4

The electrical output power (%/01� to the solar input power represents the

(PVSMs), it is formulated as follows [11, p.480] :

# $ "%256 %78⁄ �

$ ⟨"-- 3 �2, 3 *+,� "� 3 9�⁄ ⟩

The net output power and enhancement of cooling (PVSM) can be expressed in

Eqs. (4) and (5) respectively.

Δ%;<=� $ "%;<=� > %?� (W)

Δ%;<=� > %;<=@� %;<=@⁄ �3 100⟩

and Akram A. Abood Alkhazzar

[email protected]


The temperatures of the

by a digital thermometer (TPM-

(a) Solar Module Analyzer PROVA 200A, (b) Solar Power Meter TES1333R,

were used in this work to identify the best technique of (PVSMs).

were used, the film water spraying over a front face of the

(PVSMs) for both

. Incident solar

open circuit voltage, short

For both cooling

was sprayed by thin water layers for (10 min) before

begun from 10:10 am to 10:45 am, in


was began from


off for (3 minutes). At the end of each cooling period the measurements previously



and the open circuit voltage "�2,�

(1)

to the solar input power represents the

(2)

(3)

can be expressed in

(4)

(5)




The energy of (PVSMs) and the pump energy can be written as in Eqs. (6) and (7)

respectively.

C;<= $ .DEFDG�HFEIℎFKGELF"%MNFE > I��F�4 (J) (6)

C? $ "%OPI�"J� (7)

Also, the pump energy was considered from the pump power multiplied by

operation time for both cooling techniques. The net energy of cooling (PVSM) was

represented the difference between the energy of cooling (PVSM) and pump energy,

which can be written as:

ΔC;<=� $ "C;<=� > C?�"J� (8)

The enhancement in energy, fill factor, and electrical efficiency for both (PVSMs)

can be written as respectively:

C&% $ ⟨""ΔC;<=� > C;<=@� C;<=@⁄ �3 100⟩ (9)

--&% $ ⟨""--;<=� > --;<=@� --;<=@⁄ �3 100⟩ (10)

#&% $ ⟨""#;<=� > #;<=@ #;<=@⁄ �3 100⟩ (11)

Finally, the cooling rate of cooling (PVSM) is represents the rate of the

temperature difference between both (PVSMs) with and without water cooling, and it

can be formulated as:

RS $ ⟨"HT I/⁄ �⟩"� min�⁄ (12)

4. NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

The numerical technique used to simulate the behavior of (PVSMs). Computer code

for MATLAB software has been developed and written to solve mathematical model.

The electrical output energy can be estimated from the power-time curve, which was

represented the area under the curve. A numerical integration of "1/3� Simpson's rule

was used to estimate the energy of (PVSMs). The least-squares regression of curve

fitting was used in this analysis which is the most common technique of finding the

best fit to experimental data.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Experimental and numerical investigation of Mono-crystalline (PVSMs) via (CCT)

and (ICT) at Baghdad climate conditions has been analyzed in this work. At both

techniques, one of the (PVSMs) was sprayed by thin film water layers which was

used as antireflection material in addition to using it as coolant fluid and as cleaning

material from dust and others, while the second (PVSM) was remained without

cooling. A comparison was made between cooling and non-cooling (PVSM) at both

techniques, in order to knowledge whether the best performance had. As renewable

energy resources are stochastic quantities. Consequently, they are fluctuated randomly

with time. The behavior of (PVSMs) temperature, cooling rate, output power, Fill

factor, and electrical efficiency will be discussed in this section. In general, the

enhancement of cooling (PVSM) parameters mentioned above was pluperfect in

current work. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrates the decreasing of cooling (PVSM) temperatures

and behavior of cooling rate respectively for (CCT) and (ICT), compared to the non-

cooling (PVSM). The enhancement of cooling (PVSM) cooling rate of (ICT) was



better than the (CCT). It is worth mentioning, that the cooling effect is based on the

evaporation process more than the flowing of the water. Also, in Fig. 1 the behavior

of ambient temperature was close to almost form the cooling (PVSM) temperature.

The average values of cooling rate for (CCT) and (ICT) were (3.4804 � min�⁄ and

(3.1617 � min�⁄ respectively, as shown in table (4). Consequently, the cooling rate

of cooling (PVSM) at (ICT) was the best. Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate the enhancement

of cooling (PVSM) output power for (CCT) and (ICT) respectively. The output power

of the cooling (PVSM) increases with decreasing of its temperatures as a result of the

sharp increase in the voltage and decrease of the output current. Table (5) showed that

the cooling (PVSM) output power enhancement for both cooling techniques.

Observably, that the output power enhancement of (ICT) and (CCT) were (7.349 %)

and (5.587 %) respectively, than for non-cooling (PVSM). Accordingly, the

enhancement of output power for (ICT) was the best. Also, the energy enhancement

of cooling (PVSM) was just for the (ICT) than for (CCT). The energy enhancement

for (ICT) was (6. 308 %) for current work of pump power (8 W), in addition to others

value for energy enhancement were tabulated in table (6) for various values of pump

power. By contrast, there was losses in energy for (CCT) due to use a pump for full

time. Figs. 4a and 4b illustrates the enhancement of cooling (PVSM) fill factor for

both cooling techniques. As in the above results, the enhancement of cooling (PVSM)

fill factor was the better for (ICT) than for (CCT). The average fill factor

enhancement for (ICT) and (CCT) were (6.313 %) and (2.630 %) respectively, than for

non-cooling (PVSM) as shown in table (8). Indeed, Fill factor considers the effect of

internal resistances of the (PVSM). The resistances are series resistance and shunt

resistance, the series resistance tends to reduce the output voltage while the shunt

resistance affect the output current. The resistances increases with temperature which

reduces the maximum power output. This decreasing is accompanied by decreasing in

open circuit voltage. Therefore the effect of cooling technique was to enhance the

(PVSM) fill factor. Figs. 5a and 5b illustrates the enhancement of cooling (PVSM)

efficiency for both cooling techniques. In the same manner, the enhancement of

cooling (PVSM) efficiency was the better for (ICT) than for (CCT). The average

efficiency enhancement for (ICT) and (CCT) were (8.389 %) and (6.826 %)

respectively, than for non-cooling (PVSM) as shown in table (7). In spite of that the

test conditions for (ICT) and (CCT) were taken at different periods. Also, because the

data of both techniques were recorded in the same time for the cooling and non-

cooling (PVSM) and it was close to some extent. Nevertheless, a comparison between

a cooling (PVSMs) at both cooling techniques was possible. As a result, determine

whether which best performers has been possible. Finally, the Fig. 6 illustrates a

comparison between the efficiency behaviors for both cooling techniques. Apparently,

the performance of cooling (PVSM) for (ICT) was the better than for (CCT).




Figure. 1 Variation of ambient and PV solar modules temperatures with time at a) (CCT). b) (ICT).

Figure 2 Cooling rate of cooling PV solar module at a) (CCT). b) (ICT).

Figure.3. Variation of PV solar modules output power with time at a) (CCT). b) (ICT).

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 3534

36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

54

Time ( min )

Te

mp

era

ture

( o

C)

( Bahavior of ambient and PV modules temperatures for continuous cooling with time )

PV module temperature without cooling

Fitting of PV module temperature without cooling

PV module temperature with cooling

Fitting of PV module temperature with cooling

Ambient temperature

Fitting of ambient temperature

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 3536

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

54

Time (min )

Te

mp

era

ture

( o

C)

( Bahvior of ambient and PV module temperaturesfor intermittent cooling technique with time )

PV module temperature without cooling

Fitting of PV module temperature without cooling

PV module temperature with cooling

Fitting of PV module temperature with cooling

Ambient temperature

Fitting of Ambient temperature

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 3539

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

Time (min)

PV

mo

du

le o

utp

ut

po

we

r (W

)

( Enhancement of PV module output power by continuous water cooling )

Pout without cooling

Fitting of Pout without cooling

Pout with cooling

Fitting of Pout with cooling

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 3540

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48( Enhancement of PV module output power by intermittent water cooling )

Time ( min )

PV

mo

du

le o

utp

ut

po

we

r (

W)

Pout without cooling

Fitting of Pout without cooling

Pout with cooling

Fitting of Pout with cooling



Figure.4.Variation of PV solar modules fill factor with time at a) (CCT). b) (ICT).

Figure 5 Variation of PV solar modules efficiency with time at a) (CCT). b) (ICT).

Figure 6 Efficiency comparison for cooling PV module at both cooling techniques.

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350.71

0.72

0.73

0.74

0.75

0.76

0.77

0.78

Time (min)

Fill

fa

cto

r o

f P

V m

od

ule

( F

F %

)

(Enhancement of PV module fill factor by continuous cooling)

FF without cooling

Fitting of FF without cooling

FF with cooling

Fitting of FF with cooling

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 3570

72

74

76

78

80

82( Enhancement of PV module FF by intermittent water cooling )

Time ( min )

PV

mo

du

le F

ill F

ac

tor

( F

F %

)

FF without cooling

Fitting of FF without cooling

FF with cooling

Fitting of FF with cooling

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 358.2

8.3

8.4

8.5

8.6

8.7

8.8

8.9

9

9.1

9.2

Time ( min )

Eff

icie

nc

y (

η %

)

( Enhancement of PV module efficiency by continuous water cooling )

η without cooling

Fitting of η without cooling

η with cooling

Fitting of η with cooling

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 358.2

8.4

8.6

8.8

9

9.2

9.4

9.6

9.8

Time ( min )

Eff

icie

nc

y (

η %

) ( Enhancement of PV module efficiency by intermittent water cooling )

η without cooling

Fitting of η without cooling

η with cooling

Fitting of η with cooling

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 358.2

8.4

8.6

8.8

9

9.2

9.4

9.6

9.8( Comparison of PV module efficiency at continuous and intermittent cooling )

Time ( min )

PV m

odule

effic

iency ( η

% )

η at continuous cooling

Fitting of η at continuous cooling

η at intermittent cooling

Fitting of η at intermittent cooling




Table 2 Data of (PVSMs) without and with (CCT).

Time

(min)

YZ

(�� Y[

(�� Y\

(�� ]^Z_[

(W)

]^Z_\

(W)

àb[

(A)

àb\

(A)

cdb[

(V)

cdb\

(V)

G

(e ^\⁄ �

-10 35.8 49.1 49.5 40.86 39.80 2.81 2.80 19.89 19.85 1050

0.0 36.8 52.2 37.3 41.01 43.95 2.84 2.76 19.74 21.06 1070

5.0 36.3 50.8 36.8 41.18 44.12 2.83 2.75 19.78 21.17 1080

10 36.5 51.6 36.6 40.67 43.80 2.82 2.74 19.71 21.19 1075

15 36.6 51.7 36.7 40.80 44.03 2.83 2.75 19.69 21.17 1072

20 36.6 52.9 36.9 40.57 43.70 2.83 2.72 19.63 21.15 1060

25 36.5 51.3 36.7 41.62 45.10 2.85 2.80 19.75 21.20 1078

30 36.6 51.7 36.9 41.70 45.50 2.88 2.80 19.65 21.21 1080

35 36.7 52.3 37.0 40.90 44.60 2.81 2.79 19.63 21.18 1063

Table 3 Data of (PVSMs) without and with (ICT).

Time

(min)

YZ

(�� Y[

(�� Y\

(�� ]^Z_[

(W)

]^Z_\

(W)

àb[

(A)

àb\

(A)

cdb[

(V)

cdb\

(V)

G

(e ^\⁄ �

-10 36.7 51.5 51.4 41.00 41.3 2.80 2.810 19.61 19.62 1080

0.0 36.6 51.4 38.2 41.20 45.82 2.89 2.860 19.62 21.10 1074

3.5 37.2 50.5 38.1 42.90 46.57 3.04 2.720 19.86 21.08 1090

7.0 37.1 51.1 37.8 44.16 47.67 3.05 2.983 19.84 21.15 1150

10.5 37.2 51.3 39.8 44.26 47.23 3.01 2.990 19.82 21.06 1142

14.0 36.9 51.8 38.5 43.80 46.99 2.99 2.970 19.77 21.05 1082

17.5 37.5 53.2 39.3 43.03 47.10 2.98 2.820 19.77 21.02 1085

21.0 36.7 51.6 38.4 42.70 46.50 2.99 2.810 19.78 21.06 1073

24.5 36.9 52.8 39.1 42.90 47.10 3.00 2.810 19.76 21.07 1075

28.0 37.1 52.5 38.8 43.00 47.30 2.97 2.830 19.77 21.05 1083

31.5 36.9 53.0 39.0 42.50 47.50 2.99 2.840 19.78 21.04 1074

35.0 37.0 53.1 39.1 43.50 47.00 2.98 2.830 19.76 21.50 1092



Table 4 Cooling rate of PV modules at (CCT) and (CCT).

Technique Continuous cooling Intermittent cooling

Average of cooling rate

(� min�⁄ 3.1617 3.4804

Table 5 Percentage of PV module power enhancement for (CCT) and (ICT).

No. Pump power

(W). Power enhancement for (CCT) Power enhancement for (ICT)

1 6 6.196 % 7.771 %

2 8 5.587 % 7.349 %

3 10 4.978 % 6.927 %

4 12 4.369 % 6.505 %

5 14 3.760 % 6.083 %

6 16 3.151 % 5.661 %

7 18 2.542 % 5.239 %

8 19 2.238 % 5.028 %

Table 6 Percentage of PV module energy enhancement for (ICT) according to pump power.

No. Pump power (W). Energy enhancement %

1 6 6.970 %

2 8 6. 308 %

3 10 5.646 %

4 12 4.984 %

5 14 4.322 %

6 16 3.660 %

7 18 2.998 %

8 19 2.667 %

Table 7 Enhancement of PV module fill factor and efficiency for (CCT) and (ICT)

Cooling techniques PV module Fill factor PV module efficiency

Continuous cooling 2.630 % 6.826 %

Intermittent cooling 6.313 % 8.389 %




NOMENCLATURE

Symbols Description

T Temperature "�� out output

P Power (W) in input

I Current (Ampere) p Pump

V Voltage (Volt) e Enhancement

G Irradiance "! ��⁄ � m Measuring time

A Area (�� r rate

E Energy (Joule) PVM Photovoltaic module

t Time (sec.)

C Cooling Greek

symbols

# Efficiency

Subscripts Description ∆ Difference for cooling

module photovoltaic.

a Ambient

1 PV Solar Module without

cooling. Abbreviations

2 PV Solar Module with cooling. FF Fill Factor

sc Short circuit PVSM Photovoltaic solar

module

oc Open circuit CCT Continuous cooling

technique

max Maximum value ICT Intermittent cooling

technique

6. CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study lead to the following conclusions:

1. In current work, a new cooling technique it is (ICT) was submitted to enhancing the

(PVSM) efficiency compared to a previous works.

2. Generally, the results show that the cooling (PVSM) enhancement of (ICT) was the

best than from the (CCT).

3. It is worth mentioning, that there is an energy enhancement for (ICT). By contrast,

there was a losses in (CCT) because a large amount of energy pump which used

continuously was subtracted from energy of cooling (PVSM).

4. The cooling (PVSM) temperature, cooling rate, output power, fill factor, and

electrical efficiency were enhanced as compared to (PVSM) without cooling.

REFERENCES

[1] Salih, S. M., Abd, O. I. and Abid, K. W. Performance enhancement of PV array

based on water spraying technique. International Journal of Sustainable and

Green Energy, 4(3-14): 2015, pp. 8-13.

[2] Prakash, K. J., Gopinath. N. and Dr. Kirubakaran, V. Optimisation of solar PV

panel output: a viable and cost effective solution. International Journal of

Advanced Technology & Engineering Research (IJATER), National Conference



on Renewable Energy Innovations for Rural Development, ISSN No: 2250-3536,

2014.

[3] Abdelrahman, M., Eliwa, A. and Abdellatif, O. E. Experimental Investigation of

Different Cooling Methods for Photovoltaic Module. Joint Propulsion

Conferences, 11th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, July

14-17, 2013, San Jose, CA.

[4] Dorobanțu, L., Popescu, M. O., Popescu, C. L. and Crăciunescu, A. Experimental

Assessment of PV Panels Front Water Cooling Strategy. International Conference

on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ’13), Bilbao , Spain, 20th to

22th March, 2013, ISSN 2172-038 X, No.11, March 2013.

[5] Dorobanţu, L. and Popescu, M. O. Increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic

panels through cooling water film. U.P.B. Sci. Bull., Series C, 75(4), 2013,. ISSN

2286-3540.

[6] Croitoru, A. -M. and Badea, A. Water cooling of photovoltaic panels from

passive house located inside the university Politehnica of Bucharest. U.P.B. Sci.

Bull., Series C, 75(3), 2013, ISSN 2286-3540.

[7] Chinamhora, T., Cheng, G. and Tham, Y. and Irshad, W. PV Panel Cooling

System for Malaysia Climate Conditions. Proceeding of international Conference

on Energy and sustainability – 2013, NED University of Engineering &

Technology, Karachi, Pakistan.

[8] Moharram, K. A., Abd-Elhady, M. S., Kandil, H. A. and El-Sherif, H. Enhancing

the performance of photovoltaic panels by water cooling. Ain Shams Engineering

Journal, 4, 2013, pp. 869–877.

[9] Krauter, S. Increased electrical yield via water flow over the front of photovoltaic

panels. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 82, 2004, pp. 131–137.

[10] Chaniotakis, E. Modelling and Analysis of Water Cooled Photovoltaic. Thesis,

MSc Energy Systems and the Environment 2001. Department of Mechanical

Engineering, University of Strathclyde.

[11] Kalogirou, S. A. Solar Energy Engineering Processes and Systems. Copyright ©

2009, Elsevier.

Documents

EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF PHOTO-VOLTAIC MODULE PERFORMANCE VIA CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT WATER COOLING TECHNIQUES