Malaysian scientists are testing bio-inspired coconut fiber to chill photo voltaic modules. The cooling system consists of a moist coconut wrapped in a polyurethane sheet. It’s positioned behind the face of a PV module and acts as a warmth sink.
Researchers at Universiti Malaysia Pahang have developed a novel passive cooling method for photo voltaic modules that makes use of moist coconut fiber as a cooling agent.
“Our answer makes use of bio-inspired coconut fiber for thermal regulation,” stated researcher Sudhakar Kumarasamy. pv journal. “It may be used for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) rooftop techniques, ground-mounted crops and agrivoltaics.”
The researchers describe their findings in “Thermal and Electrical Efficiency of Uncooled, Nature-Cooled, and Photovoltaic Thermal Modules,” not too long ago printed in Worldwide Journal of Photoenergy. They are saying the cooling system has a moist coconut wrapped in a polyurethane sheet. It’s positioned on the again facet of a PV module to behave as a warmth sink.
“The water molecules straight contact the again facet of the PV modules with the assistance of the coconut fiber as a result of excessive water holding capability of the coconut fiber, which lowers the temperature of the again floor of the module,” stated the scientist, who introduced that it’ll assist switch. warmth from the entrance to the again floor by conduction. “Subsequent, the delicate warmth is absorbed by the water molecules current within the coconut fiber. Lastly, when the water molecules take in sufficient warmth vitality, they act as a warmth elimination agent by evaporating via the holes within the polyethylene sheet encapsulation.”
The researchers in contrast the temperature habits and efficiency of a PV module with a photovoltaic-thermal module (PVT) system with water-based cooling. They discovered that the passively cooled PV module had a most operational temperature of 44.6 C, whereas the PVT panel and a reference PV panel with out cooling registered increased temperatures of 47.8 C, and 57.2 C, respectively.
“By integrating the moist coconut, the temperature of the PV module floor decreased by 22.03% and 23.46%, whereas the PVT system decreased the PV module floor temperature by 16.43%,” defined the scientists. “The utmost energy level (MPP) for the passively cooled PV module with coconut fiber, PVT system, and reference module are 24.21 W, 20.21 W, and 14.65 W, respectively.”
They stated that the passively cooled PV module’s energy output elevated by 65.26%.
“The PVT system, nevertheless, was solely capable of improve the facility output by 37.95%,” it stated. “Convection carrying water molecules from the again of the PV module will increase the warmth loss from the again floor and, consequently, from the entrance cowl of the passively cooled PV module in comparison with the PVT system.”
The identical analysis group additionally printed an intensive evaluate of all passive and cooling methods utilized in photovoltaics in October 2021. The research checked out lively methods corresponding to air-based cooling, liquid-based cooling, compelled water circulation, liquid immersion cooling, water spraying . Additionally thought-about passive strategies are PCM cooling, warmth pipes, warmth sinks or fins and warmth exchangers, microchannel warmth exchangers, radiative sky cooling, nano-fluid based mostly cooling, thermoelectric cooling, evaporative cooling, and spectrum filter cooling.
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