Effect of Adding Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on the Hydrogel Beads in the Cooling of a Solar PV Module

Solar energy is one of the best renewable energy sources, and it can be converted into electrical energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The overheating of the solar module during summer affects its performance, and various cooling methods are used to cool it. The hydrogel beads are used to cool the solar modules. This study examines the effectiveness of using hydrogel beads that were impregnated with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve solar modules' cooling capabilities during summer. The experiments were conducted on a commercially available solar PV module with hydrogel beads and hydrogel beads impregnated with Al2O3 NPs. The tests were conducted in Bangalore, India, and the solar modules were exposed to the sun from morning to afternoon during summer. From the experimental data analysis, it was observed that the modules' working temperature was significantly lowered with hydrogel beads; however, the cooling effect produced by the hydrogel beads impregnated with Al2O3 NPs is higher than that of hydrogel beads with NPs, as the NPs significantly speed up heat dissipation and accelerate the cooling process. This novel method addresses the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions while reducing environmental effects by increasing energy output and prolonging the lifespan of PV systems.