Increasing PV Solar Cell Efficiency Through Cooling
An unavoidable part of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels is that they become significantly less efficient when they heat up. [Tech Ingredients] clarifies in a new video clip the basic rationale for this, which requires the input of thermal electricity influencing the semiconductor material. In the subsequent experiment, it is demonstrated how cooling the bottom of the panel affects the panel’s power output.
There are commercial answers that use water cooling on the back again of panels to attract warmth away from panels, but this continue to leaves the challenges of maintenance (which include winter season-proofing) and dumping the heat somewhere. A person conceivable resolution for the latter is to use this warmth for a household’s scorching water requires. In the demonstrated program a heatsink is put in on the back of the panel, with fans passing interesting air above the heatsink fins.
On a 100 Watt PV panel, 10 W was dropped from the panel heating up in the sunlight. Immediately after turning on the followers, the panel dropped about 10 °C in temperature, while regaining 5.5 W. Given that the installed supporters eaten about 3 W, this signifies that the fans cost no added electric power but resulted in improved creation. Not only that, but the reduce temperatures will in theory increase the panel’s life time. However even with active cooling, even the best of PV panels will require to be changed after a couple decades.
Thanks to [Stephen Walters] for the idea!
