Experimental investigation of Active cooling of solar cells using water technique
The Project aims to achieve the solar panel cooling through active cooling technique. The active cooling uses electrical power to run motor that will sprinkle water at surface of solar panel. As the ambient temperature rises the solar panel temperature rises as well. The higher the solar panel tempe
2025-06-28 16:32:28 - Adil Khan
Experimental investigation of Active cooling of solar cells using water technique
Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject SummaryThe Project aims to achieve the solar panel cooling through active cooling technique. The active cooling uses electrical power to run motor that will sprinkle water at surface of solar panel. As the ambient temperature rises the solar panel temperature rises as well. The higher the solar panel temperature lesser will be performance of solar panel. This is becuase higher temperature casues losses in Voc and Isc significantly. Moreover, the higher temperature casues resistance in current collectors visible at solar panel front side. Hence reducing the panel temperature to desireble temperature will enhance the output of panel greatlty. Another aim of this study is to understand the effects of active cooling on solar cells and extrapolate results. The extraplated results might give us clear picture of how much active cooling can be effective in north Sindh and other aerid regions of Pakistan.
The Active Cooling contains the fluid (water) flow through the pump which effect the temperature of the photovolitic cell and the change in temperature more efficient energy (through out maintenance. That contains the calculation of research and the notations through out the meter or measured by different temperature sensors it will help out to generate more significant power through grid system. The drop of one degree solar panel temperature improve of ISC and VOC.
Project Objectives- To observe the performance of solar panel with Active (water based cooling technique).
- To measure the effect of panel temperature on Voc and Isc.
- To observe the effect of panel temperature on solar cell performance (Fill factor).
- Calculate the effect of water cooling scheme on solar cells in aerid and humid regions of Pakistan.
- Validate results with other published results.
- Simulate results with CFD software as well.
- Prepare the infrastructure and fabricated model
- Coordinate with the organizations involved in implementation and fabrication of solar cooling systems.
- Arrange training for fabrication methods.
- Install the model at campus.
- Measure reults and ambient condition paramters.
- Perform analysis on results
- Compare results with other results and validate to confirm authencity of our project.
- Get more suggestions to scale up the project at solar power plant level.
This study will be effective in analyzing the effect of solar cooling on panel as well as grid connnected solar systems.
Increasing of Voc and Isc generates more energy contineously, which reduces the long term maintenance and the cost of solar system significantly.
Using solar cooling in grid-connected system, the one degree drop in temperature might augments energy drastically.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableA Solar panel (12v-170 watts) will be used for experimental purpose . The panel will be connected with pump showering water at top of solar panel with specified time period. The pump will circulate water at solar panel and battery will be used to drive pump becuase this method saves energy compared to ac pump. The irradiance meter will measure solar irradance and laser thermometer will measure temperature of panel before and after cooling. The multimeter will be used to measure Voc and Isc before and after cooling.
The solar panel will be installed at optimam angle of 15 degree to achieve maximum output. The water used for cooling purpose can be recycled again or it may be used for plantation purpose at campus.
Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Others Core Technology Clean TechOther Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 46500 | |||
| Solar Panel | Equipment | 1 | 6000 | 6000 |
| Irrandiance Meter | Equipment | 1 | 11000 | 11000 |
| Laser Infrared Thermometer | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Multimeter | Equipment | 1 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Sprinkle water system | Miscellaneous | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Iron rod stand | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Battery | Equipment | 1 | 13000 | 13000 |
| Dranige system | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Pump | Equipment | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |