Comparative Study of Fresh Water and Sea Water for Cooling System Solar Panel Energy

Solar panels are one of the renewable energy sources that have the most significant potential in the world. However, one of the problems of solar panels is the effect of temperature on their performance so that it requires other alternatives to overcome this problem, one of which is the installation of a cooling system. In the active cooling system that is made, namely using water spray, the purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the cooling fluid between fresh water (aquades) and sea water. The method used is experimental and data testing. From the results of the study, it was found that the comparison of current and voltage data between fresh water (aquades) and sea water has a characteristic curve shape that is almost the same with a difference in value that is not too significant. The average current value for fresh water and sea water coolers is 0.66 A and 0.63 A. While the average voltage value for fresh water and sea water coolers is 14.55 V and 14.44 V. The total power generated during 6 hours of operation by solar panels with fresh water cooling is 125.81 Watts, while the total power of solar panels with sea water cooling is 119.45. The efficiency obtained is 5.32%. The average value of the temperature of the freshwater and seawater coolers is 39.2ºC and 40ºC. Based on the results of the study, fresh water is highly recommended as a cooling fluid for solar panels with the water spray method. In addition, review the effects of seawater, which will also cause corrosion on solar panel materials. However, seawater can be an option when the installation of solar panels is carried out at sea because of the seawater sources available at the installation location.