EFFECT OF FORCED AIR COOLING ON EFFICIENCY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE

Abstract

A photovoltaic is a system that converts solar energy into an electric power. During generation electricity from solar energy using photovoltaic modules, high surface temperature is caused by the absorption of thermal energy which leads to a decrease the efficiency of the module. In this study, an air-cooling unit was developed for a photovoltaic module to study the effect of air velocity on increasing the cooling rate of the surface of the module and the increasing in the efficiency of the model and compared to another model under normal conditions with no cooling. The study also discussed the use of experimental results in the conclusion of mathematical models to calculate the best cooling air speed required to obtain the best performance of the photoelectric module. Results showed that the use of forced air in the cooling process of the photovoltaic module caused an increase in energy production efficiency by 9.45 to 19.31 at different air speeds of 1.1 to 2.4 m / s. The highest efficiency gain was obtained at 19.31% at 2.4 m / s where the surface temperature of the model approached the recommended standard operating temperature. Also, a microcontroller PIC16F877A control system was used to regulate the PV module surface temperature to keep suitable constant temperature to the surface of the module. The test results were compared to the test results of the PV module under normal condition.