Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency through evaporative cooling and a solar still

Abstract

The efficiency of photovoltaic panels decreases with the increase in panel temperature while converting light into electricity. The issue of temperature rise and the associated decrease in efficiency has been widely analysed by active and passive cooling methods. In those processes, normally water is used as a cooling medium, and it results in water loss along with power loss due to circulating or compensating for the lost water. The current study aims to address both efficiency as well as water loss by combining an evaporative cooling technique with a solar still. A Photovoltaic panel with rear-side evaporative cooling is attempted by using a jute sack dipped in water at both ends. As a result of capillary action, the water from a solar still rises through the sack and cools the panel’s rear side. Solar still operation is ensured by an extended portion of glass. During desalination, the evaporated vapour from the solar still condenses on the back cover of the glass surface and is collected in a collection trough. As a result, the output power increased by 5.6 % and the electrical efficiency increased by 14.51 % and the surface temperature are reduced by 8°C. After seven hours of sunshine, the proposed PV panels and solar still system produced approximately 550 ml of water.