Experimental comparative study on using different cooling techniques with photovoltaic modules

Abstract

Overcoming the issue of photovoltaic (PV) module productivity at high temperatures is one of the most critical obstacles facing its use. PV cells are made of silicon, which loses its properties at high temperatures, degrading the PV module work. The present research compares cotton wicks integrated with rectangular aluminium fins (CWIRAFs) submerged in water as passive cooling with an absorbing plate and copper pipes attached at the PV module backside as active cooling. Compared with the PV module without cooling, CWIRAFs have better performance with the PV module than active cooling owing to evaporative cooling and increased heat dissipation area represented by wet cotton bristles integrated. The PV module is exposed to significant performance degradation without cooling in hot climate conditions. As a result, using CWIRAFs with the PV module had reduced the temperature by 31.4%, increased the power by up to 66.6%, and increased the electrical efficiency from 3.12 to 8.6%. Active cooling methods have reduced the PV temperature by 20.8%, increased the power by 56.7%, and enhanced electrical efficiency by 7.9%. Removing excess heat from the backside of the PV module via circulating water has improved the thermal efficiency and overall efficiency of the PVT system by about 26.3 and 34.2%, respectively.