Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface

Though the solar photovoltaic (PV) module is used for power production, it usually works at high temperatures, decreasing its efficiency and therefore its output. So if an effective cooling method is to be implemented, it would reduce the heat from the solar PV module and increase its power producti...

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Main Authors: M. S. Govardhanan, G. Kumaraguruparan, M. Kameswari, R. Saravanan, M. Vivar, K. Srithar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8473253
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author M. S. Govardhanan
G. Kumaraguruparan
M. Kameswari
R. Saravanan
M. Vivar
K. Srithar
author_facet M. S. Govardhanan
G. Kumaraguruparan
M. Kameswari
R. Saravanan
M. Vivar
K. Srithar
author_sort M. S. Govardhanan
collection DOAJ
description Though the solar photovoltaic (PV) module is used for power production, it usually works at high temperatures, decreasing its efficiency and therefore its output. So if an effective cooling method is to be implemented, it would reduce the heat from the solar PV module and increase its power production. Significant research in water cooling on both top and bottom surfaces of the PV module widen the scope for uniform cooling with constant module temperature throughout at any instant. In this work, uniform flow is maintained by means of overflow water from a tank fitted on the top of the PV module. Experiments were carried out with and without cooling. Performance parameters in terms of power output and efficiency have been presented for the PV module without cooling and cooling with three different mass flow rates. The results show that there is a significant rise in efficiency of the PV module by reducing its temperature. An accelerated output power of 23 W has been observed for a higher mass flow rate of 5.3 kg/min which is 15% higher than the photovoltaic module operating without cooling. Results were compared with previous researchers’ work and found to be a good enhancement. Theoretical results agree well with experiments.
format Article
id doaj-art-39fa95fb413e4c82b7e79bdd7cdce6a3
institution Kabale University
issn 1110-662X
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language English
publishDate 2020-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series International Journal of Photoenergy
spelling doaj-art-39fa95fb413e4c82b7e79bdd7cdce6a32025-08-20T03:35:51ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2020-01-01202010.1155/2020/84732538473253Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top SurfaceM. S. Govardhanan0G. Kumaraguruparan1M. Kameswari2R. Saravanan3M. Vivar4K. Srithar5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625 015, IndiaDepartment of Mechantronics Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625 015, IndiaDepartment of Mathematics, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625 015, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering-Guindy Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, IndiaGrupo IDEA, Universidad de Jaén, Jaén 23071, SpainDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai 625 015, IndiaThough the solar photovoltaic (PV) module is used for power production, it usually works at high temperatures, decreasing its efficiency and therefore its output. So if an effective cooling method is to be implemented, it would reduce the heat from the solar PV module and increase its power production. Significant research in water cooling on both top and bottom surfaces of the PV module widen the scope for uniform cooling with constant module temperature throughout at any instant. In this work, uniform flow is maintained by means of overflow water from a tank fitted on the top of the PV module. Experiments were carried out with and without cooling. Performance parameters in terms of power output and efficiency have been presented for the PV module without cooling and cooling with three different mass flow rates. The results show that there is a significant rise in efficiency of the PV module by reducing its temperature. An accelerated output power of 23 W has been observed for a higher mass flow rate of 5.3 kg/min which is 15% higher than the photovoltaic module operating without cooling. Results were compared with previous researchers’ work and found to be a good enhancement. Theoretical results agree well with experiments.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8473253
spellingShingle M. S. Govardhanan
G. Kumaraguruparan
M. Kameswari
R. Saravanan
M. Vivar
K. Srithar
Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
International Journal of Photoenergy
title Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
title_full Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
title_fullStr Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
title_full_unstemmed Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
title_short Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
title_sort photovoltaic module with uniform water flow on top surface
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8473253
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AT mkameswari photovoltaicmodulewithuniformwaterflowontopsurface
AT rsaravanan photovoltaicmodulewithuniformwaterflowontopsurface
AT mvivar photovoltaicmodulewithuniformwaterflowontopsurface
AT ksrithar photovoltaicmodulewithuniformwaterflowontopsurface