Publication Date:
2019-08-14
Description:
Constant exposure of a photovoltaic (PV) panel to sunlight causes it to overheat and, consequently, its rated efficiency decreases leading to a drop in its generated power. In this study, a PV panel was tested under standard test conditions in a halogen lamp solar simulator at different solar irradiance values. The PV panel was then fitted with heat dissipating fins and measured under identical test parameters; thereafter, repurposed materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and plastic bags were, separately, added to the PV panel with fitted heat-extraction fins and the performance was evaluated again. Passively cooling the PV panel with fins and repurposed materials resulted in a 22.7% drop in the PV panel’s temperature, while an 11.6% increase in power output occurred at 1000 W m-2. Utilizing repurposed waste materials in PV cooling improves a panel’s efficiency and saves the environment from the ecological effects of dumping these materials.
Print ISSN:
1110-662X
Electronic ISSN:
1687-529X
Topics:
Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
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