Evaluating the Impact of Cooling Technologies on Photovoltaic module Efficiency: An Experimental approach

Abstract

Abstract: The high operating temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules significantly reduces their electrical efficiency and hinders the advancement of PV applications. Although various cooling techniques have been proposed, many exhibit limited effectiveness due to inadequate heat transfer rate between the cooling medium and the PV module surface. In this study, a PV/T system incorporating a serpentine cooling channel was designed to enhance the thermal and electrical performance of PV/T systems. Water was used as the cooling fluid due to its favorable thermal properties and availability. The system's performance was evaluated experimentally at Misan University, located in southern Iraq, during the months of August and September, when solar radiation is typically high. The results demonstrated that the average electrical efficiency of the PV module improved by 3%, increasing from 7.5% to 10.5% when Reynolds number (Re) rose from 750 to 1250. Moreover, the average cell temperature in the proposed serpentine channel design was reduced by 6°C compared to conventional PV modules. The findings also indicated that the new cooling configuration performed more effectively under high solar radiation conditions, highlighting its potential for improving PV module efficiency.