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Investigation of Multi-Way Forced Convective Cooling on the Backside of Solar Panels


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15866/irecon.v8i5.19516

Abstract


The surface temperature of a photovoltaic panel has a major impact on its efficiency and performance. Therefore, it is essential to keep the temperatures of a photovoltaic module within an optimum operating range and avoid abnormal distribution of temperatures on the panel. This paper investigates a forced convective cooling method using different cooling paths and directions on the backside of a PV panel. The cooling paths (or patterns) have been generated using five DC power fans that have worked as inlets and outlets of coolant air. The experiments have been conducted indoors and outdoors where five cooling patterns have been studied. The results have showed that certain cooling patterns have generated a significant decrease in surface temperatures between 27.5% and 32.8% with a uniform distribution of temperatures while other cooling patterns have only ranged between 12.5% and 17% and non-uniform distribution of temperatures. The results have also showed similarities between the indoor and the outdoor experiment results in terms of electrical and thermal efficiencies, power output, and best pattern types.
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Keywords


Convective Cooling; Photovoltaic; Experimental Analysis; Renewable Energy

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References


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