Thermal Analysis of Photovoltaic Panel Cooled by Electrospray Using Different Fluids

In this study, the cooling performance of the photovoltaic (PV) panel was examined by the electrospray cooling method. The experiments were carried out under 1000 W/m² irradiation, 25 G nozzle diameter and 70 mm nozzle-to-PV panel distance and 20 kV voltage. Water, ethanol and water - ethanol (50%- 50%) mixture were atomized and sprayed on the panel surface at flow rates of 50-80-110 ml/h. The results showed that electrical power output decreased with increasing PV panel surface temperature. Ethanol and water - ethanol mixture showed a more effective cooling performance than water, especially at flow rates of 80 and 110 ml/h. At the highest flow rate, ethanol reduced the panel temperature by 59%, providing 6,8% more electrical power output than the uncooled condition. These findings show that the electrospray cooling method is effective in increasing the electrical efficiency of PV panels and that better cooling performance is achieved with ethanol, water - ethanol mixture compared to water.