Solar Panel Cooling System Evaluation: Visual PROMETHEE Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach

Abstract

The energy sector is interested in sustainable solar power plants. It is obvious that the working temperature of solar panels, which is significantly higher than the specified working cell temperature in hot climes, has a significant impact on efficiency and longevity. The selection of solar panel cooling systems, on the other hand, is worrisome since the choice process incorporates ergonomic, technical, economic, and environmental issues. The goal of this research is to (1) present a multi-criteria decision-making approach that is both quantitative and qualitative in nature for selecting solar panel cooling systems; (2) outrank nine alternative solar panel cooling systems with eleven performance measures for each alternative to assist decision makers in determining the best viable choice; and (3) visualize the relationship between the different solar panel cooling systems and performance measures under consideration. The proposed approach is to compare and rank solar panel cooling systems, as well as their validation and evaluation through sensitivity analysis. When operating efficiency is prioritized, finned air cooling is shown to be the best solar panel cooling technique, whereas thermosiphon cooling is the best alternative when emission reduction criteria are prioritized. A comparison of the findings shows that phase change material cooling and forced convection cooling performed worst in almost all cases.