Photovoltaic panel performance in terms of its efficiency and durability is severely affected by operating temperature when the temperature is much higher than the nominal operating cell temperature in hot climates. Different cooling methods have been reported over several decades, but photovoltaic panel manufacturers or users are yet to adopt a popular method of panel cooling. This is the main concern of the present work. Potential cooling solutions differ in terms of their criteria for performance evaluation, which are efficiency enhancement, costs, reliability, environmental aspects and ergonomics. Hence, there is a need to identify the optimum cooling method. Eight different cooling methods were identified, and the analysis was made with the multi-criteria analysis tool on the different possible attributes. Two different climate zones with different weight schemes are considered for the evaluation process, and the best to the worst cooling solutions have been identified. Five different scenarios depending on the importance given to each evaluation criterion are analyzed. The best cooling method to the worst cooling method has been arranged under each scenario. When the efficiency of operation was given maximum weight, aluminum fin cooling proved to be the best panel cooling method. When the emission reduction criterion was given maximum weight, thermosiphon cooling was the best cooling option. A comparison of the results indicates that thermosiphon works out to be the best option. The second-best method was found to be forced convection cooling when equal weights were applied and thermosiphon cooling when a 40% weight on efficiency enhancement criteria was applied, which is a more practical weight distribution. Phase change cooling and forced convection cooling had the poorest performance among the different cooling methods for all the weighing scenarios.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1949/pdf?version=1675754897

Selection of a Photovoltaic Panel Cooling Technique Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability and signature reliability of solar panel k-out-of-n-multiplex system with the help of universal generating function.Design/methodology/approachEnergy scarcity and global warming issues have become important concerns for humanity in recent decades. To solve these problems, various nations work for renewable energy sources (RESs), including sun, breeze, geothermal, wave, radioactive and biofuels. Solar energy is absorbed by solar panels, referred to as photovoltaic panels, which then transform it into electricity that can be used to power buildings or residences. Remote places can be supplied with electricity using these panels. Solar energy is often generated using a solar panel that is connected to an inverter for power supply. As a result, a converter reliability evaluation is frequently required. This paper presents a study on the reliability analysis of k-out-of-n systems with heterogeneous components. In this research, the universal generating function methodology is used to identify the reliability function and signature reliability of the solar array components. This method is commonly used to assess the tail signature and Barlow-Proschan index with independent and identically distributed components.FindingsThe Barlow-Proschan index, tail signature, signature, expected lifetime, expected cost and minimal signature of independent identically distributed are all computed.Originality/valueThis is the first study of solar panel k-out-of-n-multiplex systems to examine the signature reliability with the help of universal generating function techniques with various measures.

UGF-based signature reliability for solar panel k-out-of-n- multiplex systems

For Sustainable development of any country, electricity is the basic need for current civilization. Without hampering the environment, generation of electricity is very essential. Solar energy is completely natural, it is considered as clean energy source. In this work, an automatic system for solar panel cooling is proposed on the use of a commercial sensor with RISC based micro-controller. An electro-mechanism was designed and developed to enhance solar panel life time under different Sunlight Peak hours to evaluate its voltage efficiency. The impact on the overall performance of solar PV panel caused by different temperatures at Sunlight Peak hours is analyzed. The developed cooling system is innovative in relation to the unusual cooling system already existing in commercial units. A mini prototype model was designed and experimented, field results have proven good enhancement. With this automatic cooling technique, voltage efficiency is improved from 3% to 5%.

Nilesh Dhokane

Papers

Enhancement of Reliability and Efficiency of Solar Panel Using Cooling Methods