Three-dimensional thermal modeling of a photovoltaic module under varying conditions

Photovoltaic technology provides the direct method to convert solar energy into electricity. Modeling and simulation plays a very important role in the development of PV devices as well as in the design of PV systems. The objective of the current work was to develop a novel thermal model to simulate the thermal performance of PV modules with and without cooling. The model was sequentially coupled with a radiation model and an electrical model to calculate the electrical performance of the PV panels. Using the developed model, various studies were performed to evaluate the electrical and thermal performance of the module under different environmental and operating conditions with and without cooling. Results show that the performance of the PV panel with cooling had very little influence of increasing absorbed radiation (200–1000 W/m²) at a constant ambient temperature (25 °C) and increasing ambient temperature (0–50 °C) at an absorbed radiation of 800 W/m². For the same variation in conditions, the performance of the panel without any cooling reduced significantly.     

Performance of solar cells using thermoelectric module in hot sites

The ambient temperature at Madinah site is between 40 °C and 50 °C during the summer months and sometimes is over 50 °C. The cell temperature reaches the value of 83 °C. This affects the behaviors of solar cells (SC) and decreases their efficiency. The performance of solar cells is presented in this work using thermoelectric module (TEM) as cooling system. In fact, we have found experimentally that the efficiency of solar cells decreases with increase in its temperature. The efficiency of solar cells drops by 0.5% per °C rise in temperature. So, it's necessary to operate them at lower temperature in order to increase their efficiency. Cooling the solar cells would enhance its performance. The hybrid PV/TEM system is proposed for PV applications in hot sites.     

Further progress in the research of fin‐based passive cooling technique for the free‐standing silicon photovoltaic panels

The paper deals with a passive air‐based cooling technique of photovoltaic (PV) panels in operating conditions. Cooling technique is done by specific type of using aluminium fins, and its main purpose is to increase the electrical efficiency of the PV panel. An increase in electrical efficiency can be achieved because of temperature degradation effect, where the PV panel yields less power at higher operating temperatures (the PV panel's efficiency can drop by up to 0.5%/°C). To confirm a cooling technique, a medium‐sized PV system was used in a 2‐month experiment. The experiment was done in realistic operating conditions, and all working parameters were thoroughly measured. After the analysis of the data, no significant raise in electrical efficiency was recorded throughout the experiment. A numerical approach was conducted, based on gained experimental data. Developed numerical model gave explanations of experimental results and provided an insight in heat flow through the PV cell. Later on, developed numerical model was used to propose new cooling variations of the fin‐based technique and to further examine the overall potential of air based passive cooling techniques. It was shown that cooling effect by up to 5°C is a realistic expectation for this technique in described operating conditions.     

Performance enhancement of photovoltaic panels using two types of nanofluids

One of the main problems that limit the extensive use of photovoltaic (PV) systems is the increase in the temperature of PV panels. Overheating of a PV module decreases the performance of the output power by 0.4% to 0.5% per 1°C over its rated temperature that in most cases is 25°C. An effective way of improving electrical performance (power output and efficiency) and reducing the rate of thermal degradation of a PV module is to reduce the operating temperature of the PV surface by a cooling medium. To achieve this, nanofluids can be considered as a potentially effective solution for cooling. In this study, two types of nanofluids, namely Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ water‐based mixture of different volume flow rates and concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) by weight, were used. Also, three PV panels were cooled simultaneously using nanofluids, water, and natural air, respectively. Results showed that nanofluids for cooling enhanced heat transfer rate much better than water and natural air. Best results were achieved for TiO₂ nanofluids at the considered concentration (0.1 wt%). Nanofluid cooling of turbulent flows for such an application has not been investigated before. These results represent the first application of nanofluid cooling in the turbulent flow regimes and in outdoor conditions including real solar irradiation.     

Environmental payback time analysis of a roof-mounted building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system in Hong Kong

This paper reports the investigation results of the energy payback time (EPBT) and greenhouse-gas payback time (GPBT) of a rooftop BIPV system (grid-connected) in Hong Kong to measure its sustainability. The 22 kWp PV array is facing south with inclined angle of 22.5°. The hourly solar irradiance and ambient air temperature from 1996 to 2000 were used as weather data input. The annual power output was found to be 28,154 kWh. The embodied energy for the whole system in the lifespan was 205,816 kWh, including 71% from PV modules and 29% from balance of system (BOS). The percentage of embodied energy for silicon purification and processing reached 46%. The EPBT of the PV system was 7.3 years, and the GPBT was estimated to be 5.2 years considering fuel mixture composition of local power stations. This paper also discussed the EPBTs for different orientations, ranging from 7.1 years (optimal orientation) to 20.0 years (west-facing vertical PV façade). The results show that the ‘sustainability’ of a PV system is affected by its installation orientation and location. Choosing locations and orientations with higher incident solar irradiance is one key for the sustainability of BIPV technology applications.     

Electrical characterization of photovoltaic cell with low‐concentration ratio square aperture concentrator

Improving photovoltaic (PV) system power output is the main target of research in this field. Using concentrators with PV systems should increase the power output and consequently reduce the power production costs. However, using concentrators with PV (CPV) system has a drawback of a higher PV system temperature, which affects the voltage produced by the system leading to lower overall system power output. This paper experimentally investigates the performance of a polycrystalline silicon PV cell with a low‐concentration ratio square aperture concentrator. A 50 × 50 mm cell was tested without concentration and with a range of geometric concentration ratios (GCRs) of 4, 6, 8, and 10. Various cooling methods were studied, including no cooling, passive cooling by using finned heatsink, and active cooling by using finned heatsink and a fan, and the CPV performance was presented in conversion efficiency, the electrical power gain, and the reduction in PV material at various testing conditions. Significant improvement was obtained by using square aperture concentrator at different GCRs with highest power gain of 362.85%, PV cell material reduction of 78.39%, and efficiency increase by 72% at GCR 10 and active cooling. The results do not consider the power needed to extract the heat generated by the concentration and reduce the cell temperature by using air cooling. But the extracted heat enhances the CPV system output if it is harnessed in domestic applications such as water heating applications. These results highlight the potential of the developed CPV system.     

Utilization of cool ceiling with roof solar chimney in Thailand: The experimental and numerical analysis

The objective of this paper is to study the benefits of application of solar chimney on the south roof and cool metal ceiling on the north roof through the experiment in a detached building called a controlled cell, and the related numerical model constructed from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program. The experimental results are used for calculation of values of heat transfer coefficient of the cool ceiling and evaluation of the mean cooling potential of the combined passive cooling system. The two-dimensional numerical models generated by the CFD program use the mean values of wall temperatures in the application of solar chimney in the controlled cell as the boundary conditions. The effects of cool ceiling on the temperature, velocity and airflow rate in the controlled cell are investigated through the numerical model in which the north ceiling temperature is reduced by 2–4 °C from the measured value of 32.8 °C. The mean cooling potential of the application of combined system is found to be two times higher than the application of the solar chimney. Good agreements between the predicted and experimental results are obtained from the comparison of temperature and volume flow rate at the middle section of the controlled cell. The reduction of north ceiling temperature in the free-convection numerical model shows the decrease of air temperature in the upper region of the room by 0.5–0.7 °C from the original value of 33.3 °C, and the increase of volume flow rate by 12%.     

A model and heat transfer correlation for rooftop integrated photovoltaics with a passive air cooling channel

Photovoltaic (PV) panels can experience undesirably high temperatures due to the heat input by that part of the absorbed solar radiation which is not converted into electricity. Regulation of the temperature rise is necessary to maintain maximum solar to electric conversion. One approach for temperature regulation, suitable for rooftop integrated PV, involves fitting an open channel beneath the PV module. The panels are cooled by radiation and free convection as ambient air rises through the channel. A scale analysis and numerical study of PV modules with a back mounted air channel provides heat transfer rates over a practical range of operating conditions and channel geometries. A generalized correlation for the average channel Nusselt number for the combined convective-radiative cooling is developed for modified channel Rayleigh numbers from 10² to 10⁸, channel aspect ratios between 15 and 50 and inclination angles between 30° and 90°. The usefulness of a passive cooling channel to improve PV efficiency is illustrated by system analyses of typical PV modules.     

An experimental study on using natural vaporization for cooling of a photovoltaic solar cell

This study attempts to investigate a new way for cooling PV cell using natural vapor as coolant. The performance of solar cell was examined on simulated sunlight. The natural vapor encountered backside of PV cell vertically in various distribution and different mass flow rates. Also, the effect of natural vapor temperature in cooling performance was analyzed. Results indicated that the temperature of PV cell drops significantly with increasing natural vapor mass flow rate. In detail, the PV cell temperature decreased about 7 to 16 °C when flow rate reaches 1.6 to 5 gr min^− 1. It causes increasing electrical efficiency about 12.12% to 22.9%. The best performance of PV cell can be achieved at high natural vapor flow rate, low natural vapor temperature and the obtained optimum distribution condition.     

An experimental investigation to augment the efficiency of photovoltaic panels by using longitudinal fins

The temperature of a photovoltaic (PV) panel has a negative effect on the generated power. As the solar irradiance that falls on the PV increases, the operating PV temperature rises, which leads to a decrease in electrical efficiency. Therefore, there arises a need to introduce a cooling system to minimize PV temperature. In this study, the simple passive cooling method of extending its surfaces with fins was used to reduce the PV temperature. Different numbers of longitudinal aluminum fins were attached to the bottom surface of a PV panel and their effects were examined under realistic weather conditions for Baghdad, Iraq. Results show that the use of the passive cooling method under natural convection will be more effective in reducing PV temperature before solar noon than after solar noon. The maximum power enhancement was about 2.5 W and occurred at solar noon when using 10 aluminum fins. The peak efficiency value of the PV panel with fin cooling was about 15.3% against 14% for the unfinned PV panel.     

Experimental characterisation of a Fresnel lens photovoltaic concentrating system

An extensive indoor experimental characterisation program to investigate the heat loss from a point focus Fresnel lens PV Concentrator (FPVC) with a concentration ratio of 100× was performed for a range of simulated solar radiation intensities between 200 and 1000 W/m², different ambient air temperatures, and natural and forced convection. From the experimental program it was found that the solar cell temperature increased proportionally with the increase in simulated solar radiation for all experimental tests, indicating that conductive and convective heat transfer were significantly larger than the long wave radiative heat transfer within and from the FPVC system. For the simulated worst case scenario, in which the FPVC system was tested under a simulated solar radiation intensity of 1000 W/m² and ambient air temperature of 50 °C with no forced convection, the predicted silicon solar cell efficiency in the FPVC system was reduced to approximately half that at standard test conditions.     

A novel hybrid photovoltaics/thermoelectric cooler distillation system

In this paper, a novel hybrid photovoltaics/thermoelectric cooler (PV/TEC) distillation system has been introduced. The limitation for distillation system working under hot arid climate is the heat removal required for the condensation process. The novelty of the proposed system is that it utilizes TEC to improve the condensation process. The proposed system composed of two porous layers separated by an air gap. The upper porous layer is installed at the back of a PV module; the lower porous layer is installed at the top of a TEC modules layer. This system can provide the demand of electricity and potable water for those people who live in rural areas (using one unit or more). The proposed system prevents PV module from overheating and actively enhancing the condensation process of the evaporated water. A steady‐state mathematical model has been proposed. This model was solved and simulated by equation solver software. Wind speed, solar radiation, and ambient temperature effect on the system performance were simulated and discussed. Results showed that the maximum productivity of the system reached an ambient temperature of 298 K, solar radiation of 1000 W/m² and wind speed of 5.5 m/s. The maximum yield of the system was 4.2 kg of distilled water per day with a net electrical output power of 73 W with an overall efficiency of 57.9% and PV cell efficiency of 12.32%.     

Experimental performance of cooling photovoltaic panels using geothermal energy in an arid climate

In this study, an experimental prototype was built to examine the use of an underground water tank as a heat exchange medium with the soil to reduce photovoltaic (PV) panel operation temperatures and simultaneously improve PV efficiency. Three PV systems were evaluated: a benchmark PV panel without cooling (panel A); a PV panel with water spray cooling (panel B); and a PV panel with evaporative cooling (panel C). The cooling techniques in modules (B) and (C) were used to investigate the effects of underground water on the performance of PV panels in arid conditions. Four cases were devised as follows: spray panel back cooling (I), spray front and back cooling (II), spray front and back cooling using an Arduino controller (III), and repeating case III with different water flow rates (IV). Readings were taken from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm  from May to August. The experimental results showed that the use of underground water spray cooling led to reductions in the temperature of PV panel B, 14°C, 17.6°C, 18.8°C, and 22.7°C for cases I, II, III, and IV, respectively, when compared with the uncooled panel, and efficiency improved by 3.5%, 4.8%, 18%, and 23.1%, respectively.     

Induced flow for ventilation and cooling by a solar chimney

An experimental and numerical model of a solar chimney was proposed in order to predict its performance under varying geometrical features in Iraqi environmental conditions. Steady, two dimensional, turbulent flow was developed by natural convection inside an inclined solar chimney. This flow was investigated numerically at inclination angles 15° to 60°, solar heat flux 150–750 W/m² and chimney thickness (50, 100 and 150) mm. The experimental study was conducted using a single solar chimney installed on the roof of a single room with a volume of 12 m³. The chimney was 2 m long; 2 m wide has three gap thicknesses namely: 50, 100 and 150 mm. The performance of the solar chimney was evaluated by measuring the temperature of its glass cover, the absorbing wall and the temperature and velocity of induced air. The results of numerical model showed that; the optimum chimney inclination angle was 60° to obtain the maximum rate of ventilation. At this inclination angle, the rate of ventilation was about 20% higher than 45°. Highest rate of ventilation induced with the help of solar energy was found to be 30 air changes per hour in a room of 12 m³ volumes, at a solar radiation of 750 W/m², inclined surface angle of 60°, aspect ratio of 13.3 and chimney length of 2 m. The maximum air velocity was 0.8 m/s for a radiation intensity of 750 W/m² at an air gap of 50 mm thickness. No reverse air flow circulation was observed even at the largest gap of 150 mm. The induced air stream by solar chimney can be used for ventilation and cooling in a natural way (passive), without any mechanical assistance.     

Experimental and thermal analysis of energy efficient novel design wet cooling towers

Waste heat is generally dissipated from process water to atmospheric air in cooling towers. In the present study, a novel design is used to extract more amount of heat without any additional energy input by incorporating secondary ambient air in an induced draft wet cooling tower. In addition, more fresh air is induced in the tower from the rain zone, which increases the effectiveness at any value of the water to air flow rate (L/G ratio). Moreover, tower characteristics, range, and evaporation loss were also increased due to the novel design. It is noteworthy that secondary fresh air increases effectiveness, heat rejection, and tower characteristics by 10.12%, 19.65%, and 26.11%, respectively, and decreases approach by 16.32% at 0.55 L/G ratio, 44°C inlet water temperature, 29.7°C dry bulb temperature, and 18.4°C inlet air wet bulb temperature.     

Passive ground cooling system for low energy buildings in Malaysia (hot and humid climates)

This paper presents an investigation of Earth Pipe Cooling Technology, conducted in a university campus in Malaysia. It was intended to seek for a passive cooling alternative to air-conditioning. The technology, where the ground was used as a heat sink to produce cooler air, has not been investigated systematically in hot and humid countries. In this work, air and soil temperatures were measured. At 1 m underground, the result is most significant, where the soil temperature is 6 °C and 9 °C lower than the maximum ambient temperature during wet and hot and dry season, respectively. Polyethylene pipes were buried around 1.0 m underground and temperature drop between pipe inlet and outlet were compared. A significant temperature drop was found in these pipes: up to 6.4 °C and 6.9 °C depending on the season of the year. The result shows the potential of Earth Pipe in providing low energy cooling in Malaysia.     

Solar hybrid air-conditioning system for high temperature cooling in subtropical city

Although solar energy is able to power the heat-driven refrigeration, its contribution is quite limited due to the conventional cooling requirement. In building air-conditioning, it is common to supply low temperature chilled water, usually in 5–7 °C. If this temperature can be elevated, it would enhance the effectiveness to harness solar energy and minimize auxiliary heating. Solar refrigeration would then be more effective through high temperature cooling, by providing 15–18 °C chilled water instead. In such provision, radiant ceiling cooling can be coupled to handle the space cooling load, particularly space sensible load. And the space latent load and ventilation load are handled by a separate dehumidification provision, like the heat-driven desiccant dehumidification. Therefore, a solar hybrid air-conditioning system is formulated, using adsorption refrigeration, chilled ceilings and desiccant dehumidification. In this study, the year-round performances of the proposed solar hybrid air-conditioning systems were evaluated for two typical office types. The performance metrics include the solar fraction, coefficient of performance, solar thermal gain, primary energy consumption and indoor conditions. Comparative study was conducted for the hybrid air-conditioning system worked with the three common types of chilled ceilings, namely the chilled panels, passive chilled beams and active chilled beams. The solar hybrid air-conditioning system was also benchmarked with the conventional vapour compression refrigeration for office use. It is found that the proposed solar hybrid air-conditioning system is technically feasible through high temperature cooling. Among the three types of chilled ceilings, the passive chilled beams is the most energy-efficient option to work with the solar adsorption refrigeration for space conditioning in the subtropical city.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of an innovative evaporative condenser for residential refrigerator

In this study, an innovative, evaporative condenser for residential refrigerator was introduced. A vapor compression cycle incorporating the proposed evaporative condenser was tested to evaluate the cycle performance. To allow for evaporative cooling, sheets of cloth were wrapped around condenser to suck the water from a water basin by capillary effect. The thermal properties at the different points of the refrigeration cycle were measured for typical operating conditions. The experimental results showed that the condenser temperature increases 0.45 °C for each degree increase in evaporator temperature when the air velocity is 2.5 m/s, and the ambient condition is 29 °C and the relative humidity is 37.5%. Meanwhile, the condenser temperature increase is 0.88 °C in the case of air velocity 1.1 m/s and ambient conditions of 31 °C and relative humidity of 47.1%. A theoretical model for the evaporative condenser was developed, and validated by experimental results. The theoretical model showed that the evaporative condenser can operate at a condensing temperature of 20 C lower than that of the air-cooled condenser for heat flux of 150 W/m², and at air velocity 3 m/s. The effect of the different parameters on the condenser temperature was studied too.     

Performance analysis & energy benefits of a desiccant based solar assisted trigeneration system in a building

In this paper, performance details and operational benefits of a large scale solar trigeneration system that provides for solar assisted desiccant cooling, heating and hot water generation installed in a teaching institute building have been reported. A two-rotor desiccant system designed for handling 12 000 m3/hr of air was integrated into existing plant to provide a net reduction in energy consumption over the pre-existing heating ventilation and air-conditioning and domestic hot water systems. The system is controlled and monitored by a building management system which has been used to investigate and analyse the typical system behaviour. Heat from solar energy contributed consistently to reduce gas usage for water heating and on an annual basis showed a reduction of 21% of consumed energy. The solar energy contribution for space heating varied over winter months and during some months it was observed to contribute more than 50% of the total energy requirements for space heating. Under suitable ambient conditions, approximately 35% of total building cooling load was met by the solar driven desiccant cooling system. Continuous monitoring has also helped understand some of the operational issues of the system.     

Investigation on a mini-CPC hybrid solar thermoelectric generator unit

A hybrid solar hot water and Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric generator (TEG) unit using a heat pipe evacuated tube collector with mini-compound parabolic concentrator (mini-CPC) is proposed. In this unit, the heat from the heat pipe evacuated tube solar collector is transferred to the hot side of TEG. Simultaneously, water cooling is used at the cold side to maintain the temperature difference. Electricity is generated by TEG and the remaining heat is transferred to water at the same time. This paper investigates how to convert excess solar heat into electricity more effectively. A mathematical model regarding this unit is developed and validated. It is found that the mini-CPC can significantly improve the electrical efficiency. The optimal thermal conductance of TEG is determined, which could make the best use of excess solar heat. The excess solar heat can be effectively converted into electricity when ZT of Bi₂Te₃ can be improved from 100 °C to 200 °C. Using TEG with ZT = 1.0 and a geometrical concentrating ratio at 0.92, electrical and thermal efficiencies of this system are predicted to be 3.3% and 48.6% when solar radiation and water temperature are 800 Wm⁻² and 20 °C, respectively.