One of the major parameters influencing Photovoltaic (PV) panel's efficiency is temperature. The main problem identified in this study is that high surface temperatures cause PV panels to operate less efficiently and shortens their lifetime. Consequently, a cooling system is needed that diminishes panel temperature and enriches its efficiency. The main objective of the proposed research is to investigate the efficacy of an active cooling system that uses a copper-tube thermal collector integrated with a radiator-style heat exchanger to improve the performance of the PV panel. The city of Kalaburagi in the Indian state of Karnataka was chosen for the experimental testing because of its hot temperature. Our findings showed that the proposed active rear surface cooling system successfully reduced surface temperature by 16 ℃ on average. Cooled and uncooled PV panels had 23.35% and 21.75% average electrical efficiency, respectively. Cooling increased efficiency by 1.6%. The PV system's average thermal efficiency with cooling was 59.6%, and the combined total efficiency reached 82.95%. Thus, our findings presented in this research demonstrate how effective the suggested active back surface cooling was in relation to Kalaburagi city's climate. The research also showed that a closed-loop water circulation system improves PV module performance.
Citation: Md Moyeed Abrar, Sangamesh G. Sakri. Performance evaluation of a PV panel incorporating active cooling technique for efficiency enhancement in hot climatic conditions of Kalaburagi city[J]. AIMS Energy, 2025, 13(6): 1560-1582. doi: 10.3934/energy.2025058
One of the major parameters influencing Photovoltaic (PV) panel's efficiency is temperature. The main problem identified in this study is that high surface temperatures cause PV panels to operate less efficiently and shortens their lifetime. Consequently, a cooling system is needed that diminishes panel temperature and enriches its efficiency. The main objective of the proposed research is to investigate the efficacy of an active cooling system that uses a copper-tube thermal collector integrated with a radiator-style heat exchanger to improve the performance of the PV panel. The city of Kalaburagi in the Indian state of Karnataka was chosen for the experimental testing because of its hot temperature. Our findings showed that the proposed active rear surface cooling system successfully reduced surface temperature by 16 ℃ on average. Cooled and uncooled PV panels had 23.35% and 21.75% average electrical efficiency, respectively. Cooling increased efficiency by 1.6%. The PV system's average thermal efficiency with cooling was 59.6%, and the combined total efficiency reached 82.95%. Thus, our findings presented in this research demonstrate how effective the suggested active back surface cooling was in relation to Kalaburagi city's climate. The research also showed that a closed-loop water circulation system improves PV module performance.
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