Performance Enhancement of Photovoltaic System Through Passive Cooling Techniques: An Experimental Approach

Abstract The performance of the photovoltaic (PV) is negatively affected by an increase in its temperature. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the different techniques used for cooling the PV. In this study, new designs of passive cooling techniques were attached to the PV backside, tested, and compared to active and hybrid cooling systems. Two PV panels of power 5 W were tested simultaneously, one of them attached with a passive cooling system and the other free of cooling. Different passive cooling systems were tested, including finned plates made of aluminum/copper and phase change material (RE-42). Among the different studied passive cooling systems, the optimal performance was achieved when copper fins were used. An increment in electrical efficiency of 25.38% was achieved when copper fins were used compared to the uncooled PV. The increment in electrical efficiency reached 28.35% when the active water-cooling technique was implemented. Additionally, a conjunction between passive cooling using phase change material and active cooling using water was implemented, but the results showed limited improvement.