Experimental Enhancement of Thermal and Electrical Efficiency in Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules Using Nanofluid Cooling

ABSTRACT Electricity production from photovoltaic panels is a clean and promising technology. However, increased panel temperatures resulting from solar intensity notably reduce productivity. Cooling these panels through diverse technologies becomes essential to enhance power generation and extend cell lifetime. In this study, electricity generation for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) panels was enhanced by cooling with Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluid. An experimental analysis of the thermal and electrical efficiency of cooled and uncooled CPV was employed. Various loadings (0.3–0.9 wt%) of Al 2 O 3 were utilized to investigate the effect of Al 2 O 3 on overall performance. Each run was carried out at a flow rate of 1.0 L/min. The results showed that Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluid at a loading of 0.9 wt% resulted in a significant decrease in photovoltaic surface temperature. The temperature at the surface of CPV was significantly decreased by 52%. The electrical yield reached its maximum at 45 and 46 W/h using CPV without and with cooling water, respectively. The electricity generation was remarkably enhanced up to 54 W/h at 0.9 wt% Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluid. Electrical and thermal efficiency improved by 21% and 65%, respectively using 0.9 wt% of Al 2 O 3 . The total daily savings in CO 2 reached 0.35 kg/kW for 0.9 wt%, Al 2 O 3 .