ABSTRACT
The present work incorporates the array of water tube which is fitted to back of solar panel to
reduce its temperature and bring temperature to normal operating point. The efficiency of
photovoltaic solar panel decreases with increase in operating temperature. This is because,
the photo voltaic modules take only the visible light intensity for converting it to electrical
energy and rest of the spectrum of light is converted to heat leading to the increase in
operating temperature. Dust on top surface is another reason for decrease in operating
efficiency, as the result automatic dust cleaning using microcontroller is added. After getting
result of the model it is compared with the ordinary solar panel. By this method it has good
photoelectric conversion efficiency and the temperature decreases by 1-2 degree Celsius, the
output power generation efficiency is increases for the solar PV panel.
INTRODUCTION
Cooling of solar PV module is important because it have a non-linear voltage current
characteristic with a unique point where the power produced is maximum. Maximum power
point depends on module temperature and irradiance conditions. Both this conditions change
during the day and are different for different places depending on the season of the year.
Moreover, irradiation can alter rapidly due to varying atmospheric conditions such as clouds
and sky. It is important to track the maximum power point accurately under all possible
conditions so that the maximum available power is always obtained. Temperature of solar PV
module is decreased by providing back water tube filled with water and circulate it by using
natural convection technique. In this paper an experimental setup as shown in fig is designed
in which array of water tube is fitted to back of solar panel to reduce its
temperature and bring temperature to normal operating point. Before this both air-cooling
model and water-cooling model conditions are investigated under normal operating
condition. The efficiency of photovoltaic solar panel decreases with increase in operating
temperature. This is because, the photo voltaic modules take only the visible light intensity
for converting it to electrical energy and rest of the spectrum of light is converted to heat
leading to the increase in operating temperature. Reflection from top surface is another
reason for increase in operating temperature.
LITERATURE SURVEY
2nd International Conference for Engineering, Technology and Science of Al-Kitab
University [4-5 December-2019] by Dr. Suad Hassan Danook describes The high
temperatures make the efficiency of the solar panels decreases and lead to a decrease in
production power. In this study the cell surface temperature was reduced to low rates to
improve efficiency and increase power by cooling the surface of the solar panel with water
through adding a tube to the surface of the panel and make holes in diameters of 2 mm and at
different flow rates (3 L /n, 6 L /h and 9 L /h) then compare it with solar panel without
cooling. observed that the efficiency for all panel is peak at (12:30 pm) also observed that the
efficiency increases with cooling by water and the results show the efficiency is being high
when low flow rate, the all results for solar panel without cooling, 3 liters/hour, liter/hour and
9 liters/hour respectively for efficiency average per day through the experiment is (12.63%),
(13.54%), (13.23%) and (13.06%), the rate of increase for efficiency in solar panels with
comparison without cooling the results showed the efficiency increased of rate (6.71%) for
flow rate 3 liters/hour, (4.51%) for 6 liters/hour flow and (3.28%) at flow rate 9 liters/hour.
ISSN: 2278-0181 Vol. 7 [01, January-2018] of International Journal of Engineering
Research & Technology (IJERT) “Efficiency Improvement of Photovoltaic Panels by Design
Improvement” by Rajesh Dubey and Pravesh Kumar describes A working experimental setup
is developed to determine how long it takes to cool down the module based on proposed
cooling system. Fig 2.2 water circulation tank use natural convection to circulate water. An
experimental validation of hat rate model and cooling rate model has been done. Based on
heating and cooling rate model it is found that the PV panel yields the highest output energy
if cooling of the module starts. The work done in this thesis proposes modeling of
photovoltaic model in which temperature and sun’s irradiance, of the PV array is taken into
account.
Robert B.Franconi’s US Patent No.7845575B2 [2010] refers to a temperature actuated valve
assembly which has a main flow passage and control flow passage. A pneumatically actuated
valve is hydraulically coupled to control flow passage so as to control flow in main passage.
One thermostatic valve in contact with main flow passage is arranged to control flow in
control flow passage to position pneumatically actuated valve. Such a device has the
shortcoming that it needs an external electric power source and can’t be operated directly by
solar thermal energy.
A US patent No. 4216902 by Heinz Braukmann [1980] describes a thermostatic control valve
for application to radiators used for room heating. It comprises of ambient temperature sensor
in a housing to operate a plunger to actuate control valve. The housing is isolated thermally
from the valve mechanism. Its claimed advantage fr controlling heating fluid flow through
the radiator is that it responds to the room’s ambient temperature rather than being affected
by the heat emanating from the heat radiator. The limitations perceived in this arrangement
are the low operating range of temperatures that are appropriate for space heating and
restrictions limited to plunger cylinder mechanisms.
The US patent No. 4196847 [1980] by Ernst Gobien covers application of a thermostatic
control valve to maintain at constant temperature of coolant flow in the cooling jacket of an
internal combustion engine. It comprises of warm up valve to suppress coolant flow in partial
area of cooling jacket, a radiator valve to supply coolant from cooling jacket to radiator, a
bypass valve to return coolant from cooling jacket’s outlet to its inlet thus bypassing radiator.
A single thermostatic element therein responds to temperature changes and actuates warm up
valve, radiator valve and bypass valve. A solar heating system hardly requires warm up valve
or bypass valve since the system aims to deliver solar heated fluid at constant temperature or
at minimum high temperature.
PROBLEM DEFINITION (Existing System)
The key aspect of a solar PV power Plant is to Increasing its efficiency so the power produce
increases. The efficiency of a PV plant is affected mainly by the factors like: the efficiency of
the PV panel (in commercial PV panels it is between 8- 15%), the efficiency of the inverter
(95-98 %) and the efficiency of generation due to increase in module temperature. The
efficiency of photovoltaic solar panel decreases with increase in operating temperature. This
is because, the photo voltaic modules take only the visible light intensity for converting it to
electrical energy and rest of the spectrum of light is converted to heat leading to the increase
in operating temperature. Reflection from top surface is another reason for increase in
operating temperature. It will increase the incomes, consequently lowering the cost
of the power generated so it will move toward the decreasing the cost of the power produced
from other sources. The whole project is designed in consideration of cooling effect of water
to decrease module temperature by forced convection technique using water.
METHODOLOGY
• Initially whole block diagram and logical connections of the project is analysed.
Required hardware and software are collected.
• Each hardware is tested manually and conditions that need to be met during
interfacing are noted down.
• Every hardware is interfaced with controller and tested
• Overall logic of the project built and tested
• Project is tested for good number of times to meet its needed accuracy
BLOCK DIAGRAM
Normal Water
Tank 1
Solar Panel Battery LED Lamp
Boost
Circuit 12v, 9 AH (DC)
12V, 100W
Voltage LCD Voltage
Circuit Circuit
Relay
Micro Controller Temperature
Water Pump Sensor
Relay
Valve
L293
Tank 2
Store Hot Water DC Motor
Dust Cleaning
DESCRIPTION
Microcontroller (Renesas R5F100LE) is the heart of the project. Solar panel is mounted with
zigzag pipe for cooling effect. Two tanks are used one for cold water and another to collect
warm water. Boost circuit boosts voltage to 12V and its output is connected to battery to
charge it. Temperature sensor is used to check the stabilization. Motor driver is used to drive
the motor of cleaning mechanism.
COMPONENTS LIST
• Renesas R5F100LE
• LCD
• Voltage circuit
• L293
• DC Motor
• Relay
• Water pump
• Electronic valve
• Battery 12V
• Solar panel
• Temperature sensor
• Boost circuit
• LEDs
SOFTWARES USED
• Cubesuite+
• Renesas flash programmer
PROPOSED SYSTEM
A 12 Volt DC water pump is used to force water from lower cooling tank to upper water inlet
tank which further send water to the rectangular aluminium water tube fitted at the back side
of PV module. When required cooling is achieved then water is again collected in the lower
tank for cooling and this action is controlled by a control valve fitted at the inlet of lower
water tank. The design set up of a photovoltaic system is modelled and its voltage, current
characteristics and the power are calculated. Dust on panel is been auto cleaned to increase
the efficiency.
APPLICATIONS
• Used in power production
• Used at home premises for hot water and power generation
• Used in solar cars
ADVANTAGES
• Efficiency of panel and power production increases
• Warm water can be used
• Reduces maintenance cost
CONCLUSION
In the present work, the performance of the solar panel is improved by incorporating
additional cooling system with appropriate automatic dust cleaning system which further
enhances the performance & efficiency of a PV (photovoltaic) module. This proposed
cleaning system is based on two steps mechanism where exhaust fans do the first part which
is remove dust from the surface though air blowing. The second part is done by wiper. This
feature ensure the safety of the panel because any type of scratch is not seen during the tests.
The most significant point of this approach is that it utilizes rainwater and solar energy to
cool the PV panels with improving PV system efficiency with no requirement for additional
energy input.
REFERENCES
[1] 2nd International Conference for Engineering, Technology and Science of Al-Kitab
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Improvement of Cooling System using Back Water- Cooling Tubes,"International Journal of
Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), ISSN: 2278-0181., Vol. 7 Issue 01, January
2018.
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