Performance Analysis of Innovative Top Cooling Thermal Photovoltaic (TPV) Modules Under Tropics

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnil Dubey ◽  
C. S. Soon ◽  
Sin Lih Chin ◽  
Leon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Collector System ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module

The main focus area of this research paper to efficiently remove the heat generated during conversion of solar energy into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) module. The photovoltaic conversion efficiency of commercial available PV module varies in the range of 8%–20% depending on the type of solar cell materials used for the module construction, e.g. crystalline silicon, thin film, CIGS, organic, etc. During the conversion process, only a small fraction of the incident solar radiation is utilize by PV cells to produce electricity and the remaining is converted into waste heat in the module which causes the PV cell temperature to increase and its efficiency to drop. This thermal energy could be extract using air or water as a heat removal fluid to utilize in heating applications. The purpose of a solar photovoltaic module is to convert solar energy into electricity. The hybrid combination of photovoltaic module and thermal collector called Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module. Such PVT module combines a PV, which converts electromagnetic radiation (photons) into electricity, with a solar thermal module, which captures the remaining energy and removes waste heat from the PV module. Cooling of cells either by natural or forced circulation can reduce the PV cell temperature. The simultaneous cooling of the PV cells maintains their PV efficiency at a satisfactory level and offers a better way of utilizing solar energy by generating thermal energy as well. PVT system has higher overall efficiency as compared to separate PV and thermal collector. The heat output of a PVT module can be used for space heating or production of domestic hot water. This paper presents an innovative design of top cooling Thermal Photovoltaic (T-PV) module and its performance under outdoor weather condition of Singapore. T-PV collector is designed to flow fluid over the top of PV panel through a very narrow gap between the solar lens. This process improves heat removal process from PV panel, and hence, improves the electrical output of PV panel as compared to other PVT collector available in the market. By flowing the water from top of the PV panel will also provide better thermal efficiency. A T-PV collector system with storage tank, sensors, pump, flow meters, data logger and controls, have been installed at test-site located in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore. Performance analysis of T-PV collector system has been evaluated under the tropical climatic conditions of Singapore. It was found that T-PV module could produce additional electrical power as compared to standard PV panel of same capacity by operating at lower temperature. In addition to electricity, T-PV panel also generate the hot water up to 60 deg C at an average thermal efficiency of 41% for usage in residential and commercial buildings. The average thermal energy output was 3.1 kWh/day on typical day’s basis.

scholarly journals Effect of Solar Tilt Angles on Photovoltaic Module Performance: A Behavioral Optimization Approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 90-102
Author(s):  
Trina Som ◽  
A. Sharma ◽  
D. Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Solar Module ◽  
Monthly Average ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Yearly Maximum ◽  
Module Performance ◽  
Better Than

In the present study, performance analyses of a solar module are made through the optimal variation of solar tilt angle, pertaining to the maximum generation of solar energy. The work has been carried out for a particular location at Tripura, in India, considering three different cases on an annual basis. An intelligent behavioural based algorithm, known as artificial bee algorithm (ABC), has been implemented for finding the optimal orientation of solar angle in analysing the performance. The result shows marginal differences are obtained in producing yearly maximum solar energy for different orientations of the PV module. It has been observed that the maximum average solar energy is obtained for the case where continuous adjustment is made by rotating the plane about the horizontal east-west axis within 20° to 30° tilt angle. The computed maximum and minimum of the monthly average efficiency is 10.9% and 8.7%, respectively. Further, a comparative study has been performed in generating average solar energy through optimal tilt angle by the implementation of Perturb & Observe method (P&O). The monthly average solar power computed by P&O method resulted better in a range of 2% to 15% in comparison to that obtained by ABC. While on the other hand, the efficiency computed by ABC algorithm was 15% to 19% better than that evaluated by P&O method for all the cases studied in the present work.

Heat Response Model for Phase Layered Topology in A Photovoltaic Thermal System

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Taghi Hajibeigy ◽  
Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam ◽  
Mushtak Al-atabi ◽  
PRP Hoole
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Aluminum Plate ◽  
Thermal System ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Photovoltaic Thermal System ◽  
Heat Response ◽  
Photo Voltaic

The electrical and thermal energy generated by a Photo-voltaic (PV) module is based on the amount of the solar radiation directed on the PV module. In this study, a Photo-voltaic Thermal (PVT) system is constructed to maximize the electrical energy generation through the fast removal of heat through a new phase layered topology. The combinations of aluminum plate and heatsinks are used to transfer heat generated by sunlight radiation on PV modules to heat transfer thermal container. The aluminum plate is attached beneath the PV module and heatsinks welded beneath the alumni plate making it as a phase layered heat removal. The heat transfer on each layer of the photovoltaic thermal system is investigated with the phase changing topology and also investigated for its performance with a heat removal agent. In both cases, with and without water as coolant in the thermal container, the experimental outcome is analysed for performance analysis. It is found the PV temperature reduced by about 10 degrees which is cirtical for the PV performance reducing the wasted thermal energy and thereby increases the electrical energy conversion.

Peltier Cooling for Low Concentration Photovoltaic Cells: Numerical Modeling and Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj Pant ◽  
Sourabh Dhole ◽  
Hamidreza Najafi
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Peltier Cooler ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Peltier Module ◽  
System Power

Abstract Thermal management of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) panels is known as a major concern that has been investigated in the recent years. Appropriate cooling techniques must be employed to maintain optimum cell temperature, thus improving system efficiency and life cycle. Thermoelectric cooling offers several attractive characteristics including high controllability, no need to refrigerant, modularity, quiet operation and more. In this paper, the possibility of using convective cooling using a water channel along with thermoelectric cooling for a low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) module is investigated. A numerical model is developed using COMSOL Multiphysics® and MATLAB® to assess the performance of a novel CPV-TE system. The proposed system consists of a Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) module attached to the backside of a photovoltaic (PV) cell. A water channel has been implemented on the backside of the Peltier module to provide effective heat removal using water flow. A parametric study is conducted on the proposed system by varying solar concentration incident on the PV, input current to the Peltier cooler and inlet velocity and temperature of the water flow. The temperature distribution through the system, power output from the PV module and energy consumption by the Peltier module are determined under different operational circumstances. The results are extensively discussed to provide an understanding regarding the feasibility of the proposed system.

scholarly journals Characteristics Study of Photovoltaic Thermal System with Emphasis on Energy Efficiency

2018 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 01003
Author(s):  
Chuah Yee Yong ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Hajibeigy ◽  
Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam ◽  
Rashmi Gangasa Walvekar
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Heat Energy ◽  
Thermal System ◽  
Electrical Efficiency ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic Thermal System ◽  
Lower Temperature

Solar energy is typically collected through photovoltaic (PV) to generate electricity or through thermal collectors as heat energy, they are generally utilised separately. This project is done with the purpose of integrating the two systems to improve the energy efficiency. The idea of this photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) setup design is to simultaneously cool the PV panel so it can operate at a lower temperature thus higher electrical efficiency and also store the thermal energy. The experimental data shows that the PVT setup increased the electrical efficiency of the standard PV setup from 1.64% to 2.15%. The integration of the thermal collector also allowed 37.25% of solar energy to be stored as thermal energy. The standard PV setup harnessed only 1.64% of the solar energy, whereas the PVT setup achieved 39.4%. Different flowrates were tested to determine its effects on the PVT setup’s electrical and thermal efficiency. The various flowrate does not significantly impact the electrical efficiency since it did not significantly impact the cooling of the panel. The various flowrates resulted in fluctuating thermal efficiencies, the relation between the two is inconclusive in this project.

scholarly journals Application of Solar Thermal Energy for Medium Temperature Heating in Automobile Industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2 (S)) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Anagha Pathak ◽  
Kiran Deshpande ◽  
Sandesh Jadkar
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Automobile Industry ◽  
Storage Tank ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Medium Temperature

There is a huge potential to deploy solar thermal energy in process heat applications in industrial sectors. Around 50 % of industrial heat demand is less than 250 °C which can be addressed through solar energy. The heat energy requirement of industries like automobile, auto ancillary, metal processing, food and beverages, textile, chemical, pharmaceuticals, paper and pulp, hospitality, and educational institutes etc. can be partially met with solar hybridization based solutions. The automobile industry is one of the large consumers of fossil fuel energy in the world. The automobile industry is major economic growth driver of India and has its 60 % fuel dependence on electricity and remaining on oil based products. With abundant area available on roof top, and need for medium temperature operation makes this sector most suitable for substitution of fossil fuel with renewable solar energy. Auto sector has requirement of heat in the temperature range of 80-140 oC or steam up to 2 bar pressure for various processes like component washing, degreasing, drying, boiler feed water preheating, LPG vaporization and cooling. This paper discusses use of solar energy through seamless integration with existing heat source for a few processes involved in automobile industries. Integration of the concentrated solar thermal technology (CST) with the existing heating system is discussed with a case study for commonly used processes in auto industry such as component washing, degreasing and phosphating. The present study is undertaken in a leading automobile plant in India. Component cleaning, degreasing and phosphating are important processes which are carried out in multiple water tanks of varying temperatures. Temperatures of tanks are maintained by electrical heaters which consumes substantial amount of electricity. Non-imaging solar collectors, also known as compound parabolic concentrators (CPC) are used for generation of hot water at required process temperature. The CPC are non-tracking collectors which concentrate diffuse and beam radiation to generate hot water at required temperature. The solar heat generation plant consists of CPC collectors, circulation pump and water storage tank with controls. The heat gained by solar collectors is transferred through the storage tank to the process. An electric heater is switched on automatically when the desired temperature cannot be reached during lower radiation level or during non-sunny hours/days. This solar heating system is designed with CPC collectors that generate process heating water as high as 90OC. It also seamlessly integrates with the existing system without compromising on its reliability, while reducing electricity consumption drastically. The system is commissioned in April, 2013 and since then it has saved ~ 1,75,000 units of electricity/year and in turn 164 MT of emission of CO2 annually.

Experimental Study of Thermal Energy Storage in Solar System Using PCM

2012 ◽  
Vol 433-440 ◽  
pp. 1027-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kanimozhi ◽  
B.R. Ramesh Bapu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Copper Tube

This paper summary the investigation and analysis of thermal energy storage extracted from solar heater and use for domestic purpose. Choosing a suitable phase change materials paraffin wax used for storing thermal energy in insulation tank. The tank carries minimum of 45 liters capacity of water and 50 numbers copper tubes each copper tube carries minimum of 100 grams PCM materials. Inside the tank phase change materials are receiving hot water from solar panel. This solar energy is stored in Copper tubes each copper tube contains PCM Materials as latent heat energy. Latent heat is absorbed and stored in Copper tubes .Large quantity of solar energy can be stored in a day time and same heat can be retrieved for later use. The tank was instrumented to measure inlet and outlet water temperature. The differences of temperature of the water is measured in a definite interval of time have been noted then calculating heat transfer rate and system effectiveness. The heat storage system is to be applied to store solar energy and the stored heat is used for domestic hot water supply system.

scholarly journals A New Solar Assisted Heat Pump System with Underground Energy Storage: Modelling and Optimisation

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 5137
Author(s):  
Paweł Ocłoń ◽  
Maciej Ławryńczuk ◽  
Marek Czamara
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Jaya Algorithm ◽  
Solar Collectors ◽  
Pump System

The objectives of this work are: (a) to present a new system for building heating which is based on underground energy storage, (b) to develop a mathematical model of the system, and (c) to optimise the energy performance of the system. The system includes Photovoltaic Thermal Hybrid Solar Panels (PVT) panels with cooling, an evacuated solar collector and a water-to-water heat pump. Additionally, storage tanks, placed underground, are used to store the waste heat from PVT panels cooling. The thermal energy produced by the solar collectors is used for both domestic hot water preparation and thermal energy storage. Both PVT panels and solar collectors are assembled with a sun-tracking system to achieve the highest possible solar energy gain. Optimisation of the proposed system is considered to achieve the highest Renewable Energy Sources (RES) share during the heating period. Because the resulting optimisation problem is nonlinear, the classical gradient-based optimisation algorithm gives solutions that are not satisfying. As alternatives, three heuristic global optimisation methods are considered: the Genetic Algorithm (GA), the Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm, and the Jaya algorithm. It is shown that the Jaya algorithm outperforms the GA and PSO methods. The most significant result is that 93% of thermal energy is covered by using the underground energy storage unit consisting of two tanks.

scholarly journals Performance analysis of thermosyphon hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Marc-Alain Mutombo ◽  
Freddie Inambao ◽  
Glen Bright
Keyword(s):  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
Rectangular Channel ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Solar Module ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Incoming Energy

The conversion of solar irradiance into electricity by a photovoltaic module (PV) is 6– 7% of the incoming energy from the sun depending on the type of technology and the environmental parameters. More than 80% of incoming energy from the sun is reflected or absorbed by the solar module. The fraction of energy absorbed increases with solar cell temperature and the cells’ efficiency drops as a consequence. The efficiency of a PV module is improved by combining a PV module and a thermal collector in one unit, resulting in a hybrid photovoltaic and thermal collector (PV/T). The purpose of this paper is to present the behavior a thermosyphon hybrid PV/T when exposed to variations of environmental parameters and to demonstrate the advantage of cooling photovoltaic modules with water using a rectangular channel profile for the thermal collector. A single glazed flat-box absorber PV/T module was designed, its behavior for different environmental parameters tested, the numerical model developed, and the simulation for particular days for Durban weather run. The simulation result showed that the overall efficiency of the PV/T module was 38.7% against 14.6% for a standard PV module while the water temperature in the storage tank reached 37.1 °C. This is a great encouragement to the marketing of the PV/T technology in South Africa particularly during summer, and specifically in areas where the average annual solar irradiance is more than 4.70 kWh/m²/day.

scholarly journals Thermal Modeling of Opaque and Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic (PV) Module

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 3271-3276
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Electrical Efficiency ◽  
Pv Module

Photovoltaic (PV) module is one of the simplest technologies to convert the solar energy into the useful electrical energy. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to develop a simplified analytical expression for solar cell temperature and solar cell electrical efficiency of opaque and semi-transparent photovoltaic module in the terms of design and climatic parameters. Based on the energy balance of opaque and semi-transparent PV module, the performance parameters, namely, solar cell temperature, solar cell electrical efficiency, module efficiency and electrical power output have been evaluated for a typical clear day of May month of New Delhi climatic condition data taken from IMD (Indian Meteorological Department), Pune, India. The numerical simulations have been made on the MATLAB software. Based on the numerical computation, the effect of back cover opaque and semitransparent tedlar of module on the performance parameters has been investigated. From the results and discussion, it is found that the performance of photovoltaic module is very sensitive to the module temperature. Further, it is concluded that the semi-transparent photovoltaic module is more efficient than the opaque one. Thus, by the application of semi-transparent PV module in the design of stand-alone and rooftop PV system, the overall energy requirement and performance can be improved for same occupied area.

scholarly journals Simulating the Performance of Solar Panels in Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Hussam Saad ◽  
Amani Ibraheem Al-Tmimi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Hourly Data

The solar energy is the most available, non-polluting and free source of energy. Solar photovoltaic energy is the fastest growing energy resource and it will someday become the dominant source of energy. Iraq is located 290N-370N latitude so, it has a good possibility of solar energy, which could be invested to generate the electrical power by the photovoltaic modules.  The used databases in this study are hourly data of irradiance were obtained from Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) while air temperature and wind speed were obtained from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather (ECMWF) for the period 1/1/2001-31/12/2012.  Mathematical MATLAB program has been created to estimate the cell temperature and electrical power of a monocrystalline module for 200 sites in Iraqi areas. This study states the effects of environmental parameters on both the cell temperature and the electrical power of a monocrystalline PV module. Irradiance on tilt surface, ambient temperature, and wind speed are the key environmental factors in this study. By using Arc GIS, maps of electrical power and cell temperature distributions of a monocrystalline were drawn based on NOCT model.It has found that the effect of solar radiation on the output electrical power from the PV module is greater than the effect of ambient air temperature. Also, it has found that the monthly electrical power received from the module is varied throughout the months for the study area where the highest electrical power was recorded in June and the lowest electrical power recorded in December. Also, it varies in different sites, the southern part of Al- Qadisyah, western part of Dhi-Qar, northern part of Al-Muthannia and southwestern part of Al-Anbar provinces recorded the highest values of electrical power while the lowest value in the eastern part of Dihok.

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