An experimental study of solar panel efficiency with water cooling

Abstract

This research aimed to experimentally study of solar panel efficiency with water cooling. Three mono-crystalline solar panels with the capacity of 80 W (for each panel) were used for this test. The first panel was a solar panel without water cooling. The second panel was a panel with water spray cooling. The last panel was a solar panel with water drop cooling. The cooling water flow rate was varied to 50, 75 and 100 LPH. From the test, it was found that the temperatures of all solar panels had the similar trends. The solar panel efficiency decreased when the temperature of solar panel increases. The solar panel efficiency increased when the cooling water flow rate was increased for both of water spray cooling and water drop cooling. For all water cooling flow rates the water spray cooling solar panel performed higher efficiency than water drop cooling solar panel. The highest solar panel efficiency in this test occurred when the water spray cooling flow rate of 100 LPH.