Conference article

Solar photovoltaic and thermal systems are potential solutions for current energy needs. One of the most important difficulties in using photovoltaic systems is the low energy conversion efficiency of PV cells and; furthermore; this efficiency decreases further during the operational period by increasing the cells temperature above a certain limit. In addition; reflection of the sun’s irradiance from the panel typically reduces the electrical yield of PV modules by 8-15%. To increase the efficiency of PV systems one way is cooling them during operation period. In this experimental study combination of a PV system cooled by a thin film of water with an additional system to use the heat transferred to the water has been considered. Experimental measurements for both combined system and conventional panel indicate that the temperature of the photovoltaic panel for combined system is lower compared to the conventional panel. The results show that the power and the electrical efficiency of the combined system are higher than the traditional one. Also since the heat removed from the PV panel by water film is not wasted; the overall efficiency of the combined system is higher than the conventional system.

Cooling PV systems; Electrical efficiency; Combined system; Overall efficiency