Estudio del mejoramiento de la eficiencia de un sistema solar fotovoltaico en un banco de pruebas, mediante la disminución de la temperatura superficial y el aprovechamiento del calor rechazado

Abstract

The increase of the surface temperature in photovoltaic panels has as consequence the decrease of the output voltage that means the decrease of the electrical efficiency. To reduce this problem, some cooling methods are commonly used, which use water (direct and indirect) and air. In this work a photovoltaic panel-cooled by air in forced convection is studied. Firstly, a physical model was developed for a photovoltaic panel cooled by air, using a rectangular duct on the back of the panel. This model was compared with literature results with good agreement. This model was used to conduct some parametric studies in order to find the best depths of the duct and the mass flow rate. Secondly, a test bank was built for experimental studies. A fan was implemented to obtain forced convection, thermal insulation for simulate the one-dimensional heat transfer, and the necessary instrumentation for data collection. This system was compared with other photovoltaic panel (with the same characteristics) without cooling. The measurements were made at different depths of the duct; to determine the behavior of the electrical efficiency of the photovoltaic panel at different depths. The experimental and theoric comparisons were in good agreement.