Experimental investigation of front cooling for solar panels by using saturated hydrogel beads

IF 5.1 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2025-03-15 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103512

Abdullah Alrashidi , Saber Abdo , M.A. Abdelrahman , Ahmed A. Altohamy , Ismail M.M. Elsemary

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Solar panels are highly sensitive to changes in meteorological conditions and operating temperature. This paper presents a novel experimental study involving the use of water-saturated hydrogel beads as a front passive cooling technique for solar cells. Three different configurations of hydrogel beads − one, two, and three layers − were studied optically by evaluating their transmittance to solar radiation and then thermally by investigating their cooling effect on solar panels’ performance and comparing them to uncooled panels. All configurations were tested at 600, 800, and 1000 W/m² solar intensity and compared with the uncooled panel.

Results showed that increasing the number of hydrogel layers from one to three reduced solar cell temperatures by 33.2 % to 40.3 %, while electrical efficiency increased from 8.9 % to 10.8 %. Experimental data revealed that a single hydrogel layer is the best configuration for cooling solar cells, as it has the highest light transmission (92.2 %), lowers the cell temperature by 17.4 °C, and increases cell efficiency by approximately 8.9 %, with a corresponding increase in output power of about 5.6 % compared to the non-cooled cell at a solar radiation level of 1000 W/m².

From an environmental standpoint, the proposed system helps mitigate climate change by reducing annual carbon emissions by approximately 1870 kg CO₂ per year, saving approximately $93.5 per year in carbon costs.

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来源期刊

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.