Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic module using clay pot evaporative cooling water

Abstract

The electricity production decreases with respect to increase of the temperature of the PV module. To eliminate this problem, PV module is incorporated with thermal collector to allow PV cooling. It is found that PV cooilng increases the electricity production and the extra heat to be absorbed by the coolant extracting thermal output. This system is called hybrid PT/Thermal system where water and air can be used as the heat extraction medium. This paper provided a study on the thermal and electrical performance of PV panel with different types of water cooling system. Ordinary water and active pot evaporative cooling water was used to flow over the panel surface. The effects of solar radiation, inlet, outlet water temperature, water flow over PV panel were analysed. The electrical and thermal efficiency of PV panels were studied with respect to different cooling system. The results shows that electrical and thermal efficiency of the evaporative pot water cooled PV panel is higher than the ordinary water cooling, Traditional Cooling PV panel.