Optimization of operational parameters for a photovoltaic panel cooled by spray cooling
Faruk Yeşildal, Ahmet Numan Özakın, Kenan Yakut
Abstract
This paper presents the optimization of parameters involved in the application of air assisted water spray on the PV panel surface. The effect of spray cooling on panel performance was examined. The increase of cell temperature, hence a decrease of electrical efficiency, was obtained experimentally for a conventional PV panel. In order to prevent a decrease in efficiency, effective parameters were determined. These parameters were examined in 3 levels as spraying time, spray flow rate, nozzle air flow rate, nozzle to panel distance and solar irradiance. Then, 32 experiments were carried out according to the experimental plan obtained using Response Surface Method. As the result, optimum values for highest electrical efficiency were obtained as 49.8990 s for spraying time, 0.0180 m3/h for spray flow rate, 2 m3/h for nozzle air flow rate, 50 cm for nozzle to panel distance and 700 W/m2 for solar irradiance. The most effective parameters were determined to be spray flow rate, spraying time and solar irradiance, respectively. An appropriate correlation with these parameters was proposed for electrical efficiency.