Improvement of Photovoltaic Panel Performance Using Cooling Water System

This study examines the impact of water cooling on photovoltaic panel performance under Egypt’s harsh summer conditions. Two water flow rates (2.2 L/min and 1.125 L/min) were carefully tested to evaluate their effect on the overall electrical efficiency of the system. Experiments were conducted with voltage (30–35 V), current (0.5–7.8 A), and solar intensity (400–800 W/m²) between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Results clearly show that increasing the water flow rate to 2.2 L/min significantly enhances electrical efficiency compared to uncooled panels. The highest voltage, current, and efficiency were all achieved at 2.2 L/min, while no cooling resulted in significantly lower performance values. Four accurate empirical equations were developed to help predict key performance parameters, with deviations consistently remaining within ±10%. Compared to published data, water cooling improved efficiency at 2.2 L/min, followed by 1.125 L/min, confirming its practical effectiveness in enhancing PV panel performance in extremely hot climates.