Energy analysis of active photovoltaic cooling system using water flow

Abstract

An active water-cooling system is one of several technologies that has been proven to be able to reduce heat losses and increase electrical energy in photovoltaic (PV) module. This research discusses a comparative experimental study of three pump activation controls in cooling of PV module with the aim of evaluating specifically the PV output power, net energy gain, water flow rate, and module temperature reduction. The three pump activation controls being compared are continuously active during the test, active based on setpoint temperature, and active by controlling the pump voltage using pulse width modulation (PWM) control in adjusting water flow rate smoothly. The results show that controlling the pump voltage using PWM in the PV cooling process produces energy of 437.95 Wh, slightly lower than the others and the average module cooling temperature is 35.24 °C, higher of 1-3 °C than the others. Nevertheless, PWM control of cooling pump has resulted the percentage of net energy gain of 9.94%, greater than other controls, and with an average flow rate of 2.17 L/min, more efficient than the others. Thus, this control is quite effective as it can produce higher net PV energy yield and lower water consumption.