Determination of optimum parameters in photovoltaic panel with electrospray cooling

Over the years, renewable energy sources have attracted significant attention amid rising greenhouse gas emissions. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert solar energy into electricity, are among the most widely used methods due to their ease of application and the availability of an unlimited resource. Many factors reduce PV panel operating performance and shorten their lifetimes, including temperature. Effective thermal management of PV panels is crucial. Electrospray cooling, with its ability to achieve high heat transfer at minimal coolant consumption, offers a promising alternative to conventional cooling techniques. In this study, an experimental investigation using the Response Surface Method (RSM) was conducted to determine the optimal parameters for cooling PV panels using electrospray. Four parameters, irradiance (800–1000 W/m 2 ), coolant flow rate (20–100 ml/h), nozzle-to-panel distance (3–7 cm), and applied voltage (17–21 kV), were examined at three levels to maximize the PV panel power output. The optimal conditions were found to be 1000 W/m 2 irradiance, 17 kV voltage, 94.34 ml/h flow rate, and a nozzle-to-panel distance of 5.5 cm. As a result of the validation experiments conducted to determine the optimal parameter values, the error rates were 1.24% and 2.33% in the first and second experiments, respectively. The results show that the electrospray method significantly improves the PV panel’s cooling performance and electrical output while minimizing water use. These findings highlight the potential of electrospray cooling as an efficient and sustainable approach to increasing the energy efficiency and service life of PV systems.