Improvement of Photovoltaic Module Efficiency using Spiral  Absorber and Water

Nur Farhana Mohd Razali; Ahmad Fudholi; Mohd Hafidz Ruslan; Kamaruzzaman Sopian

Authors

Nur Farhana Mohd Razali Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Ahmad Fudholi Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Hafidz Ruslan Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Kamaruzzaman Sopian Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Cooling system, power, fill factor, I–V curve, P–V curve

Abstract

This study presents an experimental investigation intended to improve the power output of a photovoltaic (PV) module using a spiral absorber and water as coolants. This cooling system, known as a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) water collector, can generate thermal (hot water) and electrical energy simultaneously. Results show that by adding coolants, the maximum power and open circuit voltages are improved; hence, the output power also increases. In addition, the power generated increases with the addition of solar radiation, and PV module efficiency becomes slightly higher than that of the PV module without cooling. The electrical characteristics of the PV module are represented by plotted current–voltage and power–voltage curves.