A detailed mathematical modelling and experimental validation of top water cooled solar PV module

• Main Authors: Kumar Senthil R., Nagarajan P.K., Subramani J., Natarajan E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade 2019-01-01
• Series: FME Transactions
• Subjects: analytical modelling; top water cooling; pv cell temperature; efficiency
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1451-2092/2019/1451-20921903591K.pdf

In this research article, an analytical model has been developed to examine the electrical and thermal behaviour of a solar photovoltaic module with top water cooling. Mathematical calculations have been performed under India, Chennai (latitude: 13.06° N and longitude: 80.11° E) prevailing weather conditions. Three modes of heat transfer mechanisms are considered in the thermal model and computed using improved correlations. The model validation against the experimental data exhibited a good agreement. Daily average electrical and overall thermal efficiency of a PV module with top water flow have been found to be 14.29% and 45.44% respectively. Water flows on top side of the PV module decreases the average module temperature of a day from 56.67°C to 39.44°C, and the average daily module electrical efficiency is increased up to 14.29%, compared to 12.74% efficiency of PV module without cooling.