Controlling a photovoltaic module's surface temperature to ensure high conversion efficiency
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Date
2015-06
Authors
Ozemoya, Augustine
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Abstract
In order to facilitate sustainable development, it is necessary to further improve and increase the energy efficiency and use of renewable energy and its related technologies. The main limiting factors to the extensive use of photovoltaic (PV) modules include the high initial investment cost and the relatively low conversion efficiency. However, other factors, such as an increase in ambient temperature, exert a considerable negative influence on PV modules, with cell efficiencies decreasing as the cell’s operating temperature increases. Higher PV module surface temperatures mean lower output voltages and subsequent lower output power. Therefore, this dissertation focuses on optimizing the available output power from a PV module by investigating and controlling the effect that the PV module’s surface temperature exerts on the amount of electrical energy produced.
A pilot study was conducted by using a PV module set to three different tilt angles with an orientation angle and temperature sensors placed at different points. This was done to determine temperature distribution on the PV module surfaces as well as identify which tilt angle produces the highest PV module surface temperature. The main study was designed to investigate the electrical performance of a PV module with different cooling systems (water and forced air) as against a referenced measurement (no cooling). The cooling systems will be switched on and off at specific time intervals with the help of an electronic timer circuit incorporating a PIC microcontroller.
The pilot study was conducted for a 50 week period where the results indicated a direct correlation between temperature rise and voltage decrease. The PV module’s temperature is highest at a tilt angle of 16° during the day and lowest at night time. It further reveals that the PV module’s front and back surface temperature can be distinctly different, with the highest recorded values occurring at the back of the PV module. The main study was conducted for a period of 15 weeks with results indicating that the water cooling system resulted in an average higher output power of 49.6% when compared to the reference system (no cooling system). Recommendations are made that sufficient space should be included between the module frames and mounting structure to reduce high operating temperatures owing to poor air circulation.
Description
M. Tech. (Engineering, Electrical, Department Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology
Keywords
Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Photovoltaic modules, Temperature sensors, Electronic performance, Cooling systems, PIC microcontroller