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Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Panels: A Novel Integration Approach with Cooling Tower

Author

Listed:
  • Emad Abdelsalam

    (Electrical and Energy Engineering Department, Al Hussein Technical University, Amman 11831, Jordan)

  • Hamza Alnawafah

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA)

  • Fares Almomani

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Aya Mousa

    (Electrical and Energy Engineering Department, Al Hussein Technical University, Amman 11831, Jordan)

  • Mohammad Jamjoum

    (Electrical and Energy Engineering Department, Al Hussein Technical University, Amman 11831, Jordan)

  • Malek Alkasrawi

    (Industrial Assessment Center, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA)

Abstract

Overheating of photovoltaic (PV) panels decreases their efficiency and lifetime, and subsequently increases the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Passive PV cooling would enhance the PV operational stability and durability. The cooling tower (CT) technology offers an attractive approach for zero-cost capability. In this work, we developed and customized a CT specific for passive PV cooling. Since the dense downdrafted cooled air gained high velocity, a turbine was installed at the bottom of the CT for power production. At the height’s ambient temperature, the CT cooled the air from 50 °C down to 30 °C. The cooled air at 30 °C has enough capacity to cool the PV panels. This cooling capacity improved the average annual efficiency of the PV panels by 6.83%. The design specifications of the CT have the highest performance, with the maximum radius of PV area of panels that can be cooled at 50 m. Furthermore, the current design could operate during the night for power production with minimum operational cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Emad Abdelsalam & Hamza Alnawafah & Fares Almomani & Aya Mousa & Mohammad Jamjoum & Malek Alkasrawi, 2023. "Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Panels: A Novel Integration Approach with Cooling Tower," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:3:p:1070-:d:1039919
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jinyue Yan & Ying Yang & Pietro Elia Campana & Jijiang He, 2019. "City-level analysis of subsidy-free solar photovoltaic electricity price, profits and grid parity in China," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(8), pages 709-717, August.
    2. Teo, H.G. & Lee, P.S. & Hawlader, M.N.A., 2012. "An active cooling system for photovoltaic modules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 309-315.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emad Abdelsalam & Hamza Alnawafah & Fares Almomani & Aya Mousa & Hasan Qandil, 2023. "Enhancing the Efficiency of Bi-Facial Photovoltaic Panels: An Integration Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-14, October.

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