Operating temperature of PV module modified with surface cooling unit in real time condition

Abstract

High operating temperature decreases photo voltaic module efficiency. Normal Operating Cell Temperature, NOCT of silicon crystalline is about 49°C as reported. A cooling unit with reverse flow water circulation is designed, fabricated and applied on PV back surface to partially avoid undesirable effect of its temperature increase. This modified module with cooling unit and similar non-cooled modules are installed outdoor identically at University of Petroleum and Energy Studies campus, Dehradun. Installed Normal Operating Cell Temperature, INOCT of both the modules are determined and compared by varying water flow rate from cooling unit. And also water flow rate is optimized to maintain minimum possible operating temperature.