Performance enhancement of the photovoltaic cells using Al2O3/PCM mixture and/or water cooling-techniques. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salem, M.R.; Elsayed, M.M.; Abd-Elaziz, A.A.; Elshazly, K.M.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 138(2019)
• Page Start: 876
• Page End: 890
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Photovoltaic -- Electrical -- Thermal and exergy efficiencies -- Nanoparticles -- PCM; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.02.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: This work experimentally investigates the performance of a PV module cooling effect using a compound enhancement technique. This is by employing water and/or Al2 O3 /PCM mixture with different nanoparticles mass concentrations ( φ ) from 0 to 1% and mass fluxes of the cooling water from 0 to 5.31 kg/s.m 2 through straight aluminium channels beneath the PV panel. The effect of the occupation ratio of the Al2 O3 /PCM ( λ P C M ) in the channels from 0 (100% water) to 100% (0% water) is also examined. The results illustrate that the Al2 O3 nanoparticles of φ = 1% makes the compound technique (Al2 O3 /PCM mixture + water) better than the cooling with 100% water. Compared with all studied cooling techniques parameters, it is observed that the compound technique; Al2 O3 ( φ = 1%)/PCM mixture ( λ PCM = 25%) + 75% water (5.31 kg/s.m 2 ) achieves the highest PV performance. However, although the Al2 O3 /PCM mixture of λ P C M = 100 % does not provide the highest PV electrical output power, it may be a superior solution for the PV cooling as it solves the problems of using the cooling water. Finally, experimental correlations are presented to predict the electrical, thermal, and overall exergy efficiencies of the PV cell. Highlights: The combined effect of water and PCM on the PV module performance is investigated. Effect of Al2 O3 nanoparticles loading in the PCM on PV cell performance is tested. Effect of water/PCM occupation ratio in the channels behind the PV cell is presented. PCM can be a superior solution for the PV cooling. Experimental Correlations for η e, η t h, and η o, e x are proposed.