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2.2 Set Nº2: Exergy Analyses – Solar Photovoltaic module.

I. THEORY.
Exergy

Exergy is the maximum amount of energy that can be transformed into useful work, meaning by
useful that which is not used to act against the environment. Exergy is therefore a measure of
the availability of energy.

Exergy gives us the maximum useful work that we can obtain from a system, adjusted to the
limits imposed by the principles of thermodynamics. For this, we must assume completely
reversible processes and therefore without entropy production.

In a real process, entropy is always produced. The production of entropy implies a reduction of
the useful work that we can extract from the system, i.e. the higher the entropy production, the
lower the utilization of its exergy. The exergy is completely consumed when the system reaches
equilibrium, thermal, mechanical, chemical, etc. with the environment.

Following the previous energy analyses of solar photovoltaic module SPV (read Set Nº 9,
thermodynamic practice) and implemented the methodology suggested by Pandey A. at 4
chapter [1], we can establish a exergy analysis measured. The input exergy i.e., exergy of solar
radiation is given by:

̇ Eq. 1
= ̇ = 1−

is the sun's temperature, which is taken as 5777 K and is the environmental temperature.
The exergy output of the SPV systems can be given as follows:

= + + , = + ′ Eq. 2

Where ′ = ∑ = . + , which includes internal as well as external losses.

Internal losses are electrical exergy destruction i.e , and external losses are heat loss,
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. which is numerically equal to . for SPV system. For the calculation of electrical
exergy of the PV system i.e. it has been assumed that exergy content received by the
photovoltaic surface is fully utilized to generate maximum electrical exergy ( ).

̇ = − = −( − ) Eq. 3

Where, represents the electrical energy and ( − ) represents the electrical

exergy destruction. Therefore, from the above equation, we find the electrical exergy as below:

̇ = Eq. 4

The thermal exergy of the system ( . ) which is defined as the heat loss from the SPV
surface to the ambient, can be represented as below:

̇ Eq. 5
= 1−

Where ̇ = ℎ ( − ) [2] and ℎ = 5.7 + 3.8 where ℎ the combinate transfer

coefficient (convective and radiative) heat transfer coefficient, and is the wind speed. Using
the above equations exergy of SPV system can be written as below:

̇ Eq. 6
= − 1− ℎ ( − )

The solar cell power conversion efficiency ( ) can be defined as the ratio of actual electrical
output to the input solar radiation ( ) on the SPV surface and can be given as below:

Eq. 7
=

In general, the exergy efficiency ( ) is defined as the ratio of output exergy to that of the input
exergy and given as follows;

Eq. 8
=
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Using the above equations, the exergy efficiency ( ) can be expressed as follows:

− 1− ℎ ( − ) Eq. 9
=
1−

II. OBJECT.
 Evaluate solar photovoltaic cell's energy and exergy production on natural operational
conditions in the UPB Monteria campus.
 Recognize the operational factors that have a more significant effect on the exergy
balance by SPV.

III. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.

 Solar Photovoltaic cell (2 Technologies).
 Multitest VOM.
 Electric resistance.
 Electric Supplies
 Air temperature and humidity sensor
 Pyranometer (Enable in Energy renewable laboratory -UPB)
 Anemometer
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Figura 30 Squematic diagram of electric configuration

VI. METHODOLOGY.

Each work group should plan the experimental process and methodology (measure factor, time
to record data, day, etc.) that allow them to evaluate the energy and exergy production of Solar
Photovoltaic module implemented on UPB campus.

 Assemble and prepare the circuit as shown in the image; Later.

 Measure the wind speed.
 Measure the solar radiation in the area of the panel.
 Record the temperatures of the solar panel surfaces. (Front and rear)
 Measure the voltage and amperage at the connections going from the panel to the
battery.
 Record the voltage and amperage coming from the battery to the inverter.
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IV. FINAL REPORT.

 Present the data of both energy and exergy production by the experimental set
implemented.
 Evaluate the energy and exergy efficient of Solar photovoltaic module on the
environmental conditions of UPB campus.
 The results of the test must be presented in scientific paper style with maximum 5
pages following the written format of the journal DYNA
(https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/dyna/about/submissions#authorGuidelines).

REFERENCES.

[1] Pandey, A. 2013. “Exergy Analysis and Exergoeconomic Evaluation of Renewable Energy
Conversion System.” Shri Mata Vaishmo Devi University.

[2] Cengel, Yunus, and Michael Boles. 2006. Termodinamica - Cengel 5th. 5th ed. Mexico: Mc. Graw
Hill.