Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Module by Air Cooling
Asad A. Naqvi, Ahsan Uddin Ahmed, Talha Bin Nadeem
Abstract
Photovoltaic system (PV) for meeting the electricity requirement has achieved a tremendous amount of attention in the recent past because of their simple, silent, clean and low-cost operation. The electrical efficiency of PV panel is badly affected by the ambient temperature. As the ambient temperature is increased, PV module cell temperature also increases which ultimately decreases the electrical efficiency of PV module. In this research, two PV panels were selected for the study. One is converted into Hybrid Photovoltaic thermal system by integrating an air duct at the back of the PV panel for cooling of PV module to improve the electrical performance. While other is simple PV panel with no cooling effects. The electrical efficiency of both PV and PVT has been determined and compared and PVT seems to be more electrically efficient while it is also capable to produce heat. The thermal efficiency of the PVT system is also determined. A correlation between ambient temperature and outlet air temperatures is also developed using Minitab. This research is beneficial for all those areas where there is a requirement of both electricity and space heating.