Enhancing Power and Thermal Gradient of Solar Photovoltaic Panels with Torched Fly-Ash Tiles for Greener Buildings

Mukilan Poyyamozhi, Balasubramanian Murugesan (), Narayanamoorthi Rajamanickam, Ramalingam Senthil, Mohammad Shorfuzzaman and Waleed Mohammed Abdelfattah ()
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Mukilan Poyyamozhi: Department of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, India
Balasubramanian Murugesan: Department of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, India
Narayanamoorthi Rajamanickam: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, India
Ramalingam Senthil: Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai 603203, India
Mohammad Shorfuzzaman: Department of Computer Science, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Waleed Mohammed Abdelfattah: General Subject Department, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah 23435, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that use polycrystalline silicon cells are a promising technique for producing renewable energy, although research on the cells’ efficiency and thermal control is still ongoing. This experimental research aims to investigate a novel way to improve power output and thermal performance by combining solar PV panels with burned fly-ash tiles. Made from burning industrial waste, torched fly ash has special qualities that make it useful for architectural applications. These qualities include better thermal insulation, strengthened structural integrity, and high energy efficiency. Our test setup shows that when solar PV panels are combined with torched fly-ash tiles, power generation rises by 7% and surface temperature decreases by 3% when compared to standard panels. The enhanced PV efficiency is ascribed to the outstanding thermal insulation properties of fly ash tiles and their capacity to control panel temperature. To ensure longevity and safety in building applications, the tiles employed in this study had a water absorption rate of 5.37%, flexural strength of 2.95 N/mm 2 , and slip resistance at 38 km/h. Furthermore, we find improved structural resilience and lower cooling costs when up to 30% of the sand in floor tiles is replaced with torched fly ash, which makes this method especially appropriate for sustainable buildings. Key performance indicators that show how effective these tiles are in maximizing energy use in buildings include thermal emissivity (0.874), solar reflectance (0.8), and solar absorption (0.256). While supporting more ecofriendly building techniques, this study highlights the advantages of utilizing burned fly ash in solar PV systems: enhanced power generation and thermal comfort. The main results open a greater potential for fly ash use in different building materials. The use of torched fly ash in building materials enhances thermal insulation and structural integrity while lowering cooling costs, making it an ideal choice for eco-friendly construction and highlighting the potential for further research into environmentally responsible, energy-efficient solutions.

Keywords: solar energy; sustainable buildings; circular economy; waste management; building materials; eco-friendly construction; energy-efficient solutions; environmental responsibility; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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