Effect of Evaporative Cooling on Photovoltaic Module Performance

Abstract

AbstractThe photovoltaic module (PV) consists of many photovoltaic cells made of silicon that lose their properties with an increased temperature. Increasing photovoltaic cell temperature represents an intrinsic problem that causes a drop in the open-circuit voltage of the PV module, thus affecting its performance. The present work investigates using evaporating cooling as a passive cooling technique to absorb the generated heat from the PV module and lower its temperature by cotton wicks immersed in the water (CWIWs) attached to the backside photovoltaic module. The CWIWs decrease air dry temperature and increase humidity and then produce cool air to help cool PV modules. The results showed dropped PV module temperature by about 22% attributed to providing appropriate cooling produced by the moist condition of the cotton bristles immersed by water exposed to the wind. The output power generation and efficiency have increment by 16.3 W and 53%, respectively. The electrical exergy was equivalent to output power under the evaporating cooling, while entropy generation dropped about 14% with increased the PV module temperature.