The Influence of Various Solar Radiations on the Efficiency of a Photovoltaic Solar Module Integrated with a Passive Cooling System

Saeed Rubaiee and M. A. Fazal ()
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Saeed Rubaiee: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
M. A. Fazal: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-9

Abstract: The thermal regulation of a silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar system is essential as the module surface temperature beyond 25 °C deteriorates its Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE). The intensity of solar radiation seems to have a crucial impact on the PCE of a PV solar system. The present study aims to assess the effect of solar radiation variations on the PCEs of PV modules integrated with and without passive cooling systems. The used passive cooling systems are (a) multi-pipe copper frame filled with Phase Change Material (PCM) and (b) multi-pipe copper frame filled with ZnO-doped PCM. The tests were conducted at the University of Jeddah in the month of March at various local times. The results show that the ambient and module surface temperatures are directly dominated by solar radiations. The conventional PV solar system presents a higher module surface temperature as compared to that of a PV system integrated with ZnO/PCM. The enhanced module surface temperature decreases the open circuit voltage ( V oc ) and slightly increases the short circuit current ( I sc ) indicating its reduced electric efficiency.

Keywords: photovoltaic system; electrical efficiency; ZnO powder; PCM; solar radiation (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: 2022
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