Al-Asbea, B. (2025). Investigating the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels. , 43(7), 593-606. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.159652.1950
Bilal Y. Dawood Al-Asbea. "Investigating the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels". , 43, 7, 2025, 593-606. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.159652.1950
Al-Asbea, B. (2025). 'Investigating the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels', , 43(7), pp. 593-606. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.159652.1950
Al-Asbea, B. Investigating the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels. , 2025; 43(7): 593-606. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.159652.1950

Investigating the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels

Engineering and Technology Journal
Volume 43, Issue 7, July 2025, Pages 593-606    PDF (1.73 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30684/etj.2025.159652.1950
Author
Bilal Y. Dawood Al-Asbea*
Islamic Azad University, Shiraz branch, Renewable Energy Engineering, Iran.
Abstract
This research investigates the influence of cooling systems on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, specifically using pulsing tubes filled with alumina and titanium dioxide nanofluids under conditions characteristic of solar power plants. Cooling photovoltaic (PV) solar panels is essential for improving their efficiency in solar generating facilities. This work examines the use of pulsing tubes containing Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanofluids, together with flow-guiding barriers, to enhance cooling efficiency. Through ANSYS Fluent simulations, we determined that two barriers decrease panel temperature by around 20% (from 60 °C to 48 °C), enhance heat transmission by around 30%, and augment efficiency by about 7% relative to the absence of obstacles. Al₂O₃ nanofluid surpasses TiO₂, achieving a temperature reduction of 22% compared to 18%. Pressure drop decreases by ~15% with two obstacles, improving fluid dynamics. These results indicate that efficient cooling solutions may substantially improve photovoltaic panel performance by up to 10%. The project aims to enhance thermal efficiency and minimize fluid strain loss by directing obstacles inside the cooling chamber. Simulations were conducted using ANSYS Fluent, and the results have been validated using empirical data. The study showed that incorporating steering obstacles produced optimal results, significantly reducing panel surface temperature, increasing heat transfer, and improving the cooling fluid's temperature homogeneity. This layout decreased pressure loss and minimized fluid vortices inside the chamber, resulting in enhanced heat transfer and performance, in contrast to configurations without impediments or featuring a single impediment. The results demonstrated optimal machine performance by implementing guiding constraints, whereas low efficiency was seen without such bounds. Furthermore, efficiency decreased around noon when solar radiation reached its zenith due to increased panel temperatures, but subsequently improved when the panels cooled in the following hours. The findings suggest adjusting flow-guiding barriers to improve the efficiency of solar panels under actual operating circumstances.

Highlights
  • The study examined the effect of cooling systems on the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels
  • Thermal efficiency improved and fluid strain loss reduced by adding flow-guiding obstacles in the chamber
  • The new configuration reduced pressure drop and minimized fluid vortices inside the cooling chamber
  • Optimal performance was achieved using well-placed flow-guiding obstacles
Keywords
Photovoltaic solar panels Cooling systems Nanofluids ANSYS fluent simulation Multi; objective optimization
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