Experimental study to enhance photovoltaic efficiency in arid climate. An innovative method of cooling using humidified air in Aswan, Egypt.

Document Type : Original papers

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1 Mechanical Power Department, Faculty of Energy Engineering, Aswan University, Egypt

2 Mechanical Power Engineering Dept. Faculty of Energy Engineering, Aswan University - Aswan, Egypt

3 Head of Renewable Energy Department Faculty of Energy Engineering Aswan University

Abstract

While the benefits of humid air in boosting photovoltaic cell performance are well known, this research introduces a method to further enhance PV cell efficiency, specifically tailored for arid regions like Aswan, Egypt. The innovative aspect of this study is the use of pre-cooled humidified air, a technique never tried before. This study evaluates the effectiveness of this cooling method and its potential to reduce the temperature of photovoltaic cells, thereby increasing their efficiency. The experimental setup included two 250 W polycrystalline photovoltaic panels: one cooled with pre-cooled humidified air and the other serving as a reference. The cooling system utilized an evaporative cooler is used to cool and humidify the air before directing it through an insulated duct behind the photovoltaic cell. The cooling was applied intermittently to conserve energy. The cooling method led to a maximum reduction in temperature by 26 °C, with an average decrease of 7 °C. This resulted in a power output increase of up to 7.5%, with efficiency improving from 12.8% to 13.77%. Additionally, there was an average daily increase in energy production of 2.2%. These findings encourage a practical approach to enhancing photovoltaic efficiency in hot and dry climates

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