A Long-Term Analysis of the Architecture and Operation of Water Film Cooling System for Commercial PV Modules

Vinícius Silva, Julio Martinez, Raphael Heideier, Jonathas Bernal, André Gimenes, Miguel Udaeta and Marco Saidel
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Vinícius Silva: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
Julio Martinez: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
Raphael Heideier: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
Jonathas Bernal: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
André Gimenes: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
Miguel Udaeta: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil
Marco Saidel: Energy Group of the Department of Energy and Electrical Automation Engineering of the Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05580-900, Brazil

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-29

Abstract: This work aims at analyzing and architecting natural and artificial parameters to model a water-film cooling system for photovoltaic modules for some months under warm conditions. Methodologically, the theoretical and technical aspects were structured to develop, implement, monitor, and assess the cooling system at an on-grid, outdoor testing unit, considering the following: (i) the criteria to select and to approve the implementation site (infrastructure and climatologic and solarimetric conditions); (ii) the types, frequency and qualities of the monitored data; (iii) the system measurement, monitoring and control equipment; (iv) the commissioning of the system as a whole; and (v) the tests and results empirically obtained. The water-film cooling system reduces the temperature by 15–19%, on average, and up to a maximum of 24–35%. In terms of electric power, there was an average gain of 5–9% at the time of day with the highest solar radiation, and maximum gains of 12% on days with solar radiation above average. Regarding gross energy, average gains of 2.3–6%, and maximum gains of 6.3–12%, were obtained. It was concluded that the test unit helps understand the natural phenomena and the development, operation, and maintenance of performance gain systems of on-grid PV modules for construction on a commercial scale.

Keywords: solar energy; photovoltaic; photovoltaic cooling system; performance analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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