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An experiment-based comparison of different cooling methods for photovoltaic modules

  • Ayman Abdel-raheim Amr ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Ali A. M. Hassan , Mazen Abdel-Salam and Abou Hashema M. El-Sayed
Published/Copyright: April 26, 2024
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International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems
From the journal International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems Volume 26 Issue 2

Abstract

Temperature effect on the performance of a photovoltaic module represents a major concern for expanding the use of solar energy, especially in hot areas. Cooling the PV module is considered an effective method of increasing efficiency by reducing the module cell temperature. An experimental set-up is developed to investigate the effectiveness of different cooling techniques including air cooling, evaporative cooling and water cooling. A comparative study is made among the cooling techniques by simultaneous recording – for the first time – the performance the modules cooled by the different techniques. Experimental measurements dictated that the reduction of the module cell temperature recorded 5 %, 16 %, 17.25, 39.6 % and 44.8 % for passive air cooling, active air cooling, water cooling, evaporative cooling using sprinkler and nozzles, respectively. The best cooling conditions were achieved by evaporative cooling using film of domestic tap-water from nozzles with flow rate of 90–190 L/h/module. The experimental results showed an increase in electrical efficiency of 1.8 % for continuous- against 1.7 % for intermittent-evaporative cooling using water-film from nozzles. The corresponding increase in electrical efficiency on using evaporative cooling by sprinkler is 1.6 % for continuous- against 1.3 % for intermittent cooling. This means there is no significant difference in efficiency values between continuous and intermittent evaporative cooling. This favors the use of intermittent cooling decreases the cost without sacrificing the efficiency value. This makes it possible to identify the recommended method for cooling modules serving in areas of hot weather and moderate climates.

Keywords: photovoltaic; cooling techniques; cell temperature; module efficiency
Corresponding author: Ayman Abdel-raheim Amr, Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia, Egypt, E-mail:
Mazen Abdel-Salam: IEEE Fellow, IET Fellow, IOP Fellow.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Author contributions: The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

  3. Competing interests: Not applicable.

  4. Research funding: Not applicable.

  5. Data availability: Not applicable.

Appendix

Economic analysis details

  1. Passive air cooling

    1. Materials:

    2. The aluminum sheet to fabricate fins has a cost of $110.

    3. Power:

    4. No power consumed.

    5. Operation & Maintenance: None.

    6. Total initial costs equal $110 [41], [42], [43].

  2. Active air cooling

    1. Materials:

    2. The Galvanized sheet to fabricate fins and air duct, dumper, and blower motor cost $40.0, 95.0, 75.0 and 60.0 (The blower motor cost $180.0 enough for three modules). The total cost for materials is $270.

    3. Total initial costs equal $270.

    4. Power consumed for cooling: 100 W/h/module has a cost $0.14(the global average of $0.14 per kilowatt-hour) = ($0.14*6 h*30 days) = $25.2/month.

    5. Operation & Maintenance: $2000.0 per month for operation and maintenance of 250 modules. Thus, the monthly O & M cost per module is $8.0.

    6. The running costs per month per module is assumed equal to$33.2 [41], [42], [43], [44].

  3. Evaporative cooling using sprinkler

    1. Materials:

    2. The sprinkler, conduit and valves cost about $18.0.

    3. Total initial costs are equal to $18.0.

    4. Water consumption is equal to 24 L/h, i.e., about 240 L/day = 7200 L/month per module at cost equal to $3.6.

    5. Operation and maintenance: $8.0

    6. The running costs are assumed to be equal to $11.6/month per module [41], [42], [43].

  4. Evaporative cooling using nozzles

    1. Materials:

    2. The nozzles, conduit and valves cost about $27.0.

    3. Total initial costs equal $27.0.

    4. Power: None

    5. Water consumption is equal to 176 L/h, i.e., about 1760 L/day = 52,800 L/month at cost equal to $26.4. In case of using the cooling water again for irrigation purpose.

    6. On reusing 70 % of the amount of water for irrigation, the cost will be decreased by 70 %.

    7. Operation and maintenance: $8.0

    8. The running cost is assumed equal (26.4*30 %+$8) = $15.92/month per module [41], [42], [43].

  5. Water cooling

    1. Materials:

    2. Trough with fins, perforated cupper tube, conduit and valves cost about $165.

    3. Total initial costs equal $165.

    4. Power: No power

    5. Water consumption is equal to 180 L/h about 1800 L/day = 54,000 L/month $27.0. In case of not used the water again in domestic purposes.

    6. Operation and maintenance: $8.0

    7. The running cost is assumed to be equal to $35.0/month per module [41], [42], [43].

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Received: 2023-12-23
Accepted: 2024-04-08
Published Online: 2024-04-26

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ijeeps-2023-0477
Keywords for this article
photovoltaic; cooling techniques; cell temperature; module efficiency

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Review
  3. Coupling energy management of power systems with energy hubs through TSO-DSO coordination: a review
  4. Research Articles
  5. Quantitative impact assessment of transmission congestion and demand side management on electricity producers’ market power
  6. A hybrid step-up converter for PV integration with wide input variation acceptability: comprehensive performance and reliability assessment
  7. Distributed self-healing control of single-phase grounding fault in neutral point non-effective grounding system
  8. Transmission line tower inclination measurement method based on three-dimensional laser scanning and inter frame difference
  9. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of electric trucks in Indian food supply chains
  10. A differential amplitude variation based pilot relaying scheme for microgrid integrated distribution system
  11. Active cooling of a photovoltaic module in hot-ambient temperatures: theory versus experiment
  12. Multi-stage voltage sag frequency evaluation based on process immunity in the distribution network
  13. A new triple voltage gain seven level switched capacitor-based inverter with minimum voltage stress
  14. The planning method of new energy distribution network in plateau area based on local accommodation
  15. An experiment-based comparison of different cooling methods for photovoltaic modules
  16. Simulation and experimental analysis of dynamic thermal rise relaxation characteristics for dry-type distribution transformer
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