Experimental analysis on passive cooling of flat photovoltaic panel with heat sink and wick structure

ABSTRACT

Generally, photovoltaic (PV) solar cell generates electricity by receiving solar irradiance in the forms of photons. When the heat induced in the panel exceeds the operating temperature, there is drop in electrical efficiency. The objective of this project is to design the system to increase the electrical efficiency of solar cell by cooling the cell with the help of various heat sinks and wick structure with copper and aluminum fins. The heat removed from the back surface of the panel with the help of fins that absorb heat generated by the cells during the day. Therefore, the decreased temperature of PV panel increases the electrical efficiency of solar cell. When the solar cells receive more solar radiations, it generates more electricity. At the same time, the efficiency drops when the temperature of solar cell increases. It can be concluded that the efficiency and electrical characteristics of the copper fins are higher than the aluminum by 4% and 6%, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Photovoltaic solar panel
• electrical efficiency
• aluminum
• copper heat sink
• wick structure