Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of mechanical power engineering, faculty of engineering, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Egypt.
2
Electrical Power and Machines, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, P.O. 44519, Zagazig, Egypt
3
Electrical Power and Machines, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, Ar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4
Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University - Egypt
Abstract
Photovoltaic system is one of the promising electricity generation devices due to its direct solar energy conversion, safe power transmission and practicability. However, its performance is very sensitive to higher temperatures. Photovoltaic/Thermal systems were presented for enhancing the electrical efficiency and making use of the lost thermal energy. In this research, a combined usage of Paraffin as a phase change material and a stainless-steel porous media was used to decrease its temperature and make use of it. Two different systems were used for comparison. One contains Stainless steel wool with paraffin, and the other with only Paraffin. Three flow rates of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 LPM were used of water as a circulating and cooling fluid. It was found that, for all the flow rates, the system with a porous metallic media achieved lower surface temperature, higher electrical efficiency, and higher overall efficiency. The temperature of the PV cell decreased by from 5 to 25⁰ C. The enhancement achieved was from 10% to 28% in the overall efficiency, and 1% to 4% in the electrical efficiency. This proves the importance of the porous metallic media in enhancing properties of the phase change materials when using with the Photovoltaic modules cooling.
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