Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

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Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/csite

Cost effective cooling of photovoltaic modules to improve

T
efficiency
Uzair Sajjada, Mohammed Amera, Hafiz Muhammad Alib,∗, Anurag Dahiyaa,
Naseem Abbasc
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
b
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, 47050, Pakistan
c
School of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: This study presents the performance of solar photovoltaic modules provided with cooling in
Photovoltaic module terms of its normalized power output, performance ratio, and module efficiency. The aim of the
Module efficiency study is to improve the performance, efficiency, and development of an economical cooling
Performance ratio system by installing photovoltaic modules on the duct of cooled air of air-conditioners being used
Power output
in most of the houses, offices and other buildings. The performance was researched and com-
pared for two photovoltaic modules, one being cooled and other without cooling. The module
being cooled showed 7.2% and 6% higher electrical efficiency and performance ratio respectively
compared to the module without cooling. The results obtained in this study comprehend the
importance and feasibility of the research.

1. Introduction

One of the major hindrances for developers and users of solar photovoltaic modules is overheating of modules due to higher solar
radiations and higher ambient temperatures. Temperature rise decreases the efficiency and the power output of the solar modules
intensely [1]. Solar modules perform comparatively well at low temperatures [2].
The temperature rise of PV modules diminishes the module effectiveness. Numerous researchers and analysts chipped away at the
execution of the PV modules at various climatic conditions and found that PV proficiency has a backward connection with the PV
module temperature. During peak summer months, Ali et al. [2] found that the efficiency of the module was very low in comparison
with the efficiency of the solar modules at a similar site during winter months. It was observed that the average efficiencies of
monocrystalline and polycrystalline PV modules were lower by 19.8% and 18.7% in comparison with the PV module efficiencies
during winter months at a similar site. Schwingshackl et al. [3] found that PV cells are delicate to temperature change. The char-
acteristic power curve is affected significantly by the module temperature. Cooling is required to enhance the efficiency of PV module
and lessen the waste of energy in the form of heat as only 13%–15% of radiations from the sun are converted into electricity [4,5].
Rosa et al. [6] increased the electrical efficiency up to 11% by submerging the module in the water. Alami [7] employed a layer of
synthetic clay to the backside of the module and allowed a thin water film to evaporate, thereby dropping the module temperature
and resulting in 19.4% increase to the output voltage and 19.1% increase to the output power. Krauter [8] made an effective
endeavor of expanding 10.3% electrical efficiency of the module by passing a tiny water film on the front portion of the solar module.

∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: h.m.ali@uettaxila.edu.pk (H.M. Ali).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2019.100420
Received 31 January 2019; Received in revised form 18 February 2019; Accepted 23 February 2019
Available online 04 March 2019
2214-157X/ © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY/4.0/).
U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

Nomenclature Pmax maximum power [W]

Pmea measured power output [W]
Aa active area of module [m2] PV photovoltaic
E solar irradiance [W/m2] STC standard test condition
Imax maximum current [A] Vmax maximum voltage [V]
Isc short circuit current [A] Voc open circuit voltage [V]
PR performance ratio

Teo et al. [9] composed a cooling mechanism for the solar modules and consequently enhanced the efficiency of the system up to
4–5%. Odeh et al. [10] made a water trickling configuration on the upper surface of the PV module for cooling the module and
achieved a 15% increase in efficiency at peak sunshine condition. From the simulation results of the annual performance of their
system, it was found that 5% efficiency could be enhanced during warm and dry climatic conditions. Amori et al. [11] evaluated the
thermal/electrical behavior of a PV/T air collector. They investigated the modules during peak summer months and winter months. It
was observed that the efficiency of the system was higher during winter and lower in summer. Al Harbi et al. [12] experimentally
evaluated the efficiency of the water-cooled hybrid photovoltaic/thermal system. It was observed that module efficiency dropped to a
significant extent in summer due to high ambient temperature and high module temperature. In winter, the module showed relatively
high efficiency. Bahidarah et al. [13] investigated the performance of the PV module experimentally as well as numerically. They
found that efficiency decreased considerably with temperature rise.
To use solar photovoltaic modules in an area, it is necessary to consider different parameters for its optimized operation. There are
a lot of studies reporting the optimization, energy and exergy analysis of solar photovoltaic modules and fuel cells [14–19].
Pakistan is enriched with solar irradiations in majority areas of the country and ambient temperatures are very high during
summer [20–22], so the cooling of the photovoltaic modules is very much effective in this area. The main purpose of this experi-
mental work is to propose and investigate an economical air-cooled hybrid PV/T system to enhance the efficiency of the photovoltaic
modules. The system will be suitable to be deployed at homes, offices and other buildings where split and window air-conditioners
are used during summer months. A comprehensive summary for solar PV cooling is listed in Table 1.

Table 1
Related literature in association with Solar PV Cooling.
Author Type of PV module Climate Cooling Methodology Findings

Kolhe et al. [23]
Abdolzadeh and Ameri [24]
Kalogirou et al. [25]
Chandrasekar et al. [26]
El-Seesy et al. [27]
Teo et al. [9]
Fraiss et al. [28]
Moharram et al. [29]
Anser et al. [30]
Concentrated Photovoltaic
module with single
crystalline silicon
Polycrystalline photovoltaic
cells
Monocrystalline photovoltaic
modules
Monocrystalline photovoltaic
modules
Polycrystalline silicon
photovoltaic module
Monocrystalline silicon
photovoltaic module
PV/T covered with glaze
(Monocrystalline silicon
modules)
Monocrystalline silicon
photovoltaic module
Monocrystalline silicon and
polycrystalline silicon
modules
Nanjing (China) Water cooling
Kirman (Iran) Spraying water over the
surface of the solar module
by pumping
Republic of Cyprus Embedding a fins heat
exchanger at the back of the
PV module
Trichy (India) Cooling with cotton wick
structures in combination
with water, Al2O3/water,
and CuO/water nano-fluids
Cairo (Egypt) PV/T hybrid system with a
water absorber plate
Forced air-circulation
Macon (France) Water circulation
Desert areas (Egypt) Forced water circulation
Mirpur (Pakistan) Forced water circulation
Fixed solar module showed
4.7–5.2% less efficient than the
cooling module
The efficiency of the solar
module enhanced
3.26%–12.5% by spraying
water on the module
The efficiency of the solar
module increased by
2.8%–7.7% due to cooling
Efficiency increased up to
10.4%
Electrical efficiency increased
to 11% due to water cooling
4–6% increase in efficiency was
measured
The efficiency of the module
due to the cooling effect is 6%
higher than the standard
module
12.5% efficiency can be
increased by operating the
cooling system for 5 min
The average electrical
efficiency of c-Si and p-Si was
increased by 13% and 6.2%
respectively due to cooling

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U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

2. Experimental setup

The experiments were performed on the roof of the Industrial Engineering Department of the University of Engineering and
Technology Taxila (33.7670° N, 72.8235° E). Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. A complete setup
was arranged to assess the performance of the PV modules (Monocrystalline Silicon) in open-air conditions. Specifications of solar
modules used in the experimentation are provided in Table 2. Two commercially available modules were used in the study. One
module was installed on the duct of cooled air of air-conditioner and other was used as it is for the sake of comparison. Experimental
setup also consists of Pyranometer that was placed in-plane with solar modules to measure solar irradiations in W/m2. TBQ-2 type of
Pyranometer was used which has a spectral range 280–3000 nm and connected with data monitoring system with a range of 2000 W/
m2, accuracy less than 5% and resolution of 1 W/m2. Pyranometer and solar radiation monitoring system was calibrated from the
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) before the start of the experiments. A special structure made up of steel was used for
placement of the Pyranometer and PV modules at an angle of 47°. To get maximum light of the sun for the whole day, PV modules
were placed towards the south as the latitude angle for this region is 33.7 °C. Dawlance LVS-15 split air-conditioner of one-ton
refrigeration capacity was used for cooling the solar module. Temperatures of solar modules were measured by K-type thermo-
couples. Solar module analyzer (PROVA-200) was used for the extraction of the maximum power output and measuring other power
output parameters of the solar modules.

Fig. 1. Schematic of the experimental setup.

2.1. PV module characterization at STC

Working parameters of the PV module were rated at standard test conditions (STC) by using an artificial light source. The STC
values of the modules are given in Table 2.

Table 2
STC values of modules.
Parameters STC Values

Irradiance 1000 W/m2

Temperature 25 °C
Maximum voltage of system 1000 V DC
Power Tolerance 3%
Pmax 40 W
Vmax 18.2 V
Imax 2.2 A
Isc 2.7 A
Voc 21.6 V

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U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

2.2. Positioning of photovoltaic modules

The experimental setup was cited in the northern hemisphere so the panels were always placed towards north to the south side to
obtain the maximum amount of solar insulation.
Latitude of Taxila, Pakistan is 34.7°, so we made a tilt angle of 20° for summer season i.e.
Angle of inclination = 34.7° 15° = 19.7° 20°

3. Data reduction

The formulas and equations used for the calculations are provided below:
Maximum power:
Pm = Vm × Im (1)
Normalized power output efficiency:

p = [Pmea/(STC )] × 100 (2)

Performance ratio:
PR = [(Pmea/(STC ))]/(E /1000) (3)
Module Efficiency:

m = (P
max
)
(E × Aa ) × 100 (4)
where:

m : is the efficiency of module.

Pmea : is the measured output power and = Vmax × Imax
E : is the irradiance (W/m2).
Aa : is the module active area.

4. Results and discussion

In this study, data were calculated for seven complete sunny days in July while out of 24 days of experimentation, 7 days were
fully cloudy while 10 days were partially cloudy. The data were recorded form 07:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. The highest solar irradiance
measured was 1099 W/m2. Daily average value of the solar irradiance measured was more than 570 W/m2. The maximum value of
hourly average solar irradiance was found at 12:00 p.m. for all seven sunny days corresponds to maximum output power and the
minimum value of irradiance was at 7 p.m. This study was conducted in July, and the average value of irradiance was 591.86 W/m2.
The modules being used in the study did not show the same power output due to the fact that one module was being cooled and
other was kept as it is. Fig. 2 shows the hourly average power output of both PV modules. It is clear from Fig. 2, that power output of

Fig. 2. Average output power.

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U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

the module being cooled is greater than another module throughout the measured period. Cooling caused a considerable increase in
power output especially from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the sun shines at its peak.

4.1. Analysis of normalized power output efficiency

As the output power of two modules used in this study is not the same, so for comparison purpose, normalized output power
efficiency was used. Fig. 3 shows the hourly average normalized efficiency of both modules Vs irradiance. As shown in Fig. 3, the
normalized power output efficiency of the module being cooled is 2.3% higher than the module without cooling.

Fig. 3. Average normalized efficiency vs. Irradiance.

4.2. Module efficiency analysis

Due to the fluctuating outdoor conditions, the module efficiency of the PV module at outdoor is lower than its module efficiency
value at STC. The module showed a decreasing pattern in efficiency for higher module temperature and an increasing trend in
efficiency at relatively low module temperatures. Fig. 4 shows the hourly average module efficiency of the module being cooled is
7.2% higher than the other module during the whole study.

Fig. 4. Hourly average module efficiency.

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U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

4.3. Performance ratio analysis

PV panels performance at outdoor conditions is unlike to the measured performance at STC due to some environmental factors.
Therefore, the performance ratio (PR) of the modules have to be calculated. In order to study the behavior of the PV modules in a
specific climate, the hourly PR of the modules is examined in this study.
As shown in Fig. 5, the PR of the module being cooled is 6% higher than the module without cooling at most of the time due to less
module temperature. The PR of solar modules may be greater than unity because the irradiance at the outdoor conditions can be
lower than irradiance at STC i.e. 1000 W/m2. PR is greater than unity in winter months.

Fig. 5. Average performance ratio with and without cooling.

4.4. Module temperature analysis

Module temperature directly affects the electrical efficiency of the solar modules. It is clear from the recorded values that for both
modules, module temperature stays above ambient temperature unless near to the evening where the temperature of the module
reaches close to ambient temperature. Moreover, the temperature of the module and solar irradiance showed linear behavior. A
decrease in the temperature of the module at evening is because of an abrupt decrease in the irradiance that slows down the
photovoltaic process which results in a reduction of the module temperatures.
Fig. 6 shows that above room temperatures, the module efficiency begins to decrease and at STC, the efficiency of PV modules is
maximum. The cooling module shows 7.2% higher module efficiency than the uncooled one. This is due to the relatively low
operating temperature of the cooling module.

5. Conclusion

In this paper, the efficiency of the monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic module is enhanced by back surface air cooling. A
rectangular duct was mounted at the back of the solar module. The cool air of air-conditioner decreases the temperature of the solar
module by absorbing the thermal energy of the solar module. Results of two similar modules, one with cooling and other without
cooling are presented and compared. The measurements for 07 completely sunny days are included in this study.
Results of the experiment showed that the temperature of the module to which cooling was provided, was low compared to
another module without cooling and power output of the cooling module was higher as compared to another module without cooling.
The module efficiency was found at a maximum average solar irradiance level. Like module efficiency, PR of PV modules showed
a decline in output for higher solar irradiances. The minimum average PR was found at a point of maximum average solar-irradiance.
The modules temperature was almost higher than the ambient temperature. This was due to heat generation. The module being
cooled showed higher results in all the performance parameters i.e. power output, normalized power output efficiency, module
efficiency, and performance ratio. Based on recorded data and calculations made, it is concluded that cooling has an enormous effect
on solar modules effectiveness especially from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. because at that time, module temperatures are very high as

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U. Sajjad, et al. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 14 (2019) 100420

Fig. 6. Average hourly module efficiency vs. Hourly ambient temperature.

compared to ambient temperature. With cooling, the module showed 7.2% and 6% higher electrical efficiency and performance ratio
respectively compared to the module without cooling. This study would be useful in order to reduce the cost for cooling of solar
modules in order to enhance their performance ratio and efficiency during summer in hot arid regions.

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