Performance investigation of solar photovoltaic panels using mist nozzles cooling system

ABSTRACT

Solar PV has a disadvantage over its many advantages that its electrical efficiency falls due to rise in surface/operating temperature of solar PV cells. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to mitigate the efficiency loss due to rise in temperature as well as to increase life span of solar photovoltaics by lowering its cell temperature. In this research, the impact of mist cooling on output of PV panel is observed through experimental setup installed at rooftop of Postgraduate Department, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan. The rear surface of PV module is cooled with designed mist nozzle assembly. The performance of modified mist cooled PV module is than compared with reference PV module. Experimental investigation is performed several days in different weather conditions with natural circulation and with forced circulations by using submerged pump. The maximum efficiency gains of 7% and average gain of 3.72% is observed with natural circulation, and maximum gain of 9.2% and average gain 1.72% are observed with forced circulated mist. The overall impact of proposed mist cooled system is positive on performance of PV panels.

KEYWORDS:

• Efficiency gain
• forced circulation
• mist nozzles
• natural circulation
• PV cooling
• performance

Nomenclature

P	=	Electrical power (W)
FF	=	Fill factor
${ }_{\mathit{el}}$	=	Electrical efficiency (%)
$V_{\mathit{mpp}}$	=	Voltage at maximum power point (V)
$I_{\mathit{mpp}}$	=	Current at maximum power point (A)
$C_{\mathit{p}}$	=	Specific heat at constant pressure (J/kg ºC)
$T_o$	=	Outlet Temperature (ºC)
$\mathit{G}$	=	Irradiation value on module plane (W/m2)
$A_c$	=	Cell Area of the PVT module (m2)
$I_{\mathit{sc}}$	=	Short circuit current (A)
$V_{\mathit{oc}}$	=	Open circuit voltage (V)
${ }_{\mathit{th}}$	=	Thermal efficiency (%)
$T_i$	=	Inlet Temperature (ºC)
$\mathit{t}$	=	Time to reach the water temperature to $T_o$ value (Sec)

Acknowledgments

The work presented in this publication was made possible from QUPD‐CENG‐23‐24‐537 project funded by Qatar University Office of VP for Research support and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan. The findings herein reflect the work, and are solely the responsibility, of the authors. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Qatar University.

Notes on contributors

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi, is currently pursuing Masters in Energy Systems Engineering at Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan. He holds B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan.

Laveet Kumar

Laveet Kumar currently holds a position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Department of Mechanical Engineering at Qatar University. Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D. Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from University of Malaya, Malaysia (2022) with emphasis in Solar Energy.

Khanji Harijan

Khanji Harijan currently holds a position of Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Dr. Harijan holds a Ph.D. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mehran UET, Jamshoro with emphasis in Renewable Energy Systems.

Ahmad K. Sleiti

Ahmad K. Sleiti currently holds a position of Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Qatar University. Dr. Sleiti holds a Ph.D. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Central Florida, USA with emphasis in Energy systems and Thermal sciences.