AN INVENTIVE COOLING METHOD FOR FLOATING SOLAR PV PANELS: UTILIZING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL IN MIZORAM, INDIA

Abstract

Water shortage and energy scarcity are two global issues that require cooperation. Consequently, the global popularity of floating photovoltaic solar (FPV) systems, installed on the water's surface, is increasing. A solar panel experiences two primary effects when its temperature rises: thermal degradation and a significant reduction in output power. It significantly reduces the panel’s longevity. Power losses and long-lasting thermal damage are encouraged by an uneven distribution of operating temperatures and, consequently, heat spots. To address such problems, an FPV panel, which is an electronic power generator, needs to remove heat from its surfaces quickly. To increase performance and decrease thermal heat loss from an FPV, the current study uses paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) that is mixed with graphene. To remove extra heat from FPV using water and improve overall performance, the suggested cooling solution was experimentally investigated at different tilt angles and climates in outdoor settings in Aizawl, Mizoram, India. This is accomplished by analysing the thermal and electrical performance of the FPV and PCM-FPV at different module tilt angles (12°, 18°, 24°, and 30°). In comparison to the baseline FPV system, the PCM-FPV Cooling system reduced the backside temperature by 8.77°C, resulting in an 18% increase in thermal regulation. Also, it was shown that using novel cooling technology (NCT) was significantly more efficient, with 13.55% more productivity and 5 m/s wind in a 57° direction. The NCT produces 9.15 kWh annually and more than 220 kWh over a 25-year operating lifespan.