Enhancing Photovoltaic Efficiency Through Water Cooling System Design and Analysis

Abstract

Abstract In this study a front surface spray water cooling system with a zigzag pattern was experimentally and theoretically designed and investigated. Since the effectiveness of any photovoltaic panels can be adversely affected by various weather-related conditions such as solar radiation intensity, ambient temperature and dust accumulation, and the temperature and rate of flow of water that is used for cooling. ANSYS Fluent was utilized to predict the effects of the proposed system on photovoltaic (PV) power production. The findings indicated that the proposed system, when operating at a rate of 5 L/min water, enhanced efficiency of PV by 20.25%, whilst providing a pristine and dust-free surface. The simulation results indicated that the solar radiation is mostly affecting parameter in increasing the power production with implementation of water-cooling system, upon an increase of 100 watt/m2 in solar radiation, the PV power production augmented by 16.6%. Furthermore, decreasing the water inlet temperature by 5°C with a 5 L/min volume flow rate resulted in an increase in panel power production by 2.25%. Though, the ambient temperature has a slight influence on PV power production at all water volume flow rates.