Experimental investigation of a V-trough PV concentrator integrated with a buried water heat exchanger cooling system

Elminshawy, Nabil A.S.; El-Ghandour, Mohamed; Elhenawy, Yasser; Bassyouni, M.; El-Damhogi, D.G.; Addas, Mohammad F.

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2019.10.013

Cited by 47 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…However, without the aluminum sheets, the temperature of the PV cells in the V-trough system reached 80°C under an irradiance of 750 W/m 2 . Other workers suggested the use of water as a cooling element [22,23]. For example, Bahaidarah et al [22] modelized theoretically a V-trough system with a water cooling process and confirmed experimentally the optical, thermal, and electrical performance during two specific days in the year: 13 th of March and 16 th of September.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…They observed that, by using two planar reflectors, the power output of the PV panel was enhanced by 34.6% and 37% in March and September, respectively. Likewise, Elminshawy et al [23] used the buried water heat exchanger (BWHE) for cooling a V-trough system. They studied the performance within flow rates ranging from 0.01 kg/s to 0.04 kg/s.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermal Profile of a Low-Concentrator Photovoltaic: A COMSOL Simulation

Alqurashi

Al-Tuwirqi

Ganash

2020

International Journal of Photoenergy

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With the gradual reduction of fossil fuels, it is essential to find alternative renewable sources of energy. It is important to take advantage of substitutes that are less expensive and more efficient in energy production. Photovoltaic concentrators (CPVs) are effective methods through which solar energy can be maximized resulting in more conversion into electrical power. V-trough concentrators are the simplest types of low-CPV in terms of design as it is limited to the use of two plane mirrors with a flat photovoltaic (PV) plate. A consequence of concentrating more solar radiation on a PV panel is an increase in its temperature that may decrease its efficiency. In this work, the thermal profile of the PV plate in a V-trough system will be determined when this system is placed in different geographical locations in Saudi Arabia. The simulation is conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software with a ray optics package integrated with a heat transfer routine. The 21st of June was chosen to conduct the simulation as it coincides with the summer solstice. The employment of wind as a cooling method for V-troughs was investigated in this work. It was found that with the increase in wind speed, the PV panel temperature dropped significantly below its optimum operating temperature. However, due to the mirrors’ attachment to the PV panel, the temperature distribution on the surface of the panel was nonuniform. The temperature gradient on the PV surface was reduced with the increase of wind speed but not significantly. Reducing the size of the mirrors resulted in a partial coverage of solar radiation on the PV surface which helped in reducing the temperature gradient but did not eliminate it. This work can assist in testing numerous cooling models to optimize the use of V-troughs and increase its efficiency especially in locations having high ambient temperatures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Profile of a Low-Concentrator Photovoltaic: A COMSOL Simulation

Alqurashi

Al-Tuwirqi

Ganash

2020

International Journal of Photoenergy

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“…Sangani and Solanki [11] experimentally measured a 44% higher electrical energy produced by a seasonally tracked 2-sun V-Trough concentrator than a non-concentrating counterpart. Baig et al [12] and Elminshawy et al [13] have reported watercooled V-Trough concentrators with c-Si PV technology. Recently, Hadavinia and Singh [14] through an experimental study reported that a CPC with geometric concentration ratio of 2.7 generating 2.4% higher power than a geometrically equivalent V-Trough.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Concentrating Photovoltaics (LCPV) for buildings and their performance analyses

2020

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“…LCPV/T systems handle high electric current with less solar cell absorbing area in addition to the heat recovered which also higher compared to those of PV/T. 14,15 However, LCPV solar cells are quite sensitive to the changes in both operating temperature and sunlight concentration. The increase in light concentration leads to the increase of LCPV operating temperature, which thus reduces both the voltage and the electrical output of the solar cell.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance enhancement of concentrator photovoltaic systems using nanofluids

et al. 2020

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In the current study, a newly developed low photovoltaic concentrator (LCPV) equipped with nanofluid-based cooling channels, directly contacting the rare LCPV, was examined in detail. Nanofluid acts as a coolant that flowing over the back of LCPV to maintain its optimal operating temperature with the best overall performance. The coolants used are water and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3)/water nanofluids 1%, 2%, and 3% by volume concentration. When circulating a 3%-Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluid, the temperature of the LCPV module is dropped by 16.47 C compared to the uncooled module and keeps its operating temperature under 45 C during the experimental tests. This reduction in the LCPV module temperature with V-trough reflector mirrors in turn increased its performance. The results revealed that the daily electrical output power of the uncooled LCPV module was 1646.85 W, whereas, was 1870.55 W with (13.58%) improvement with the case of water cooling. However, cooling with 3%-Al 2 O 3 /water nanofluid, the power output of the LPVC was 2319.88 W with (24.02%) and (40.86%) enhancement compared to pure water cooling and without cooling respectively. The rise in the volume fraction ratio of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles remarkably decreases the operating temperature of the LCPV module and improves both electrical and thermal efficiency.

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Experimental investigation of a V-trough PV concentrator integrated with a buried water heat exchanger cooling system

Cited by 47 publications

References 34 publications

Thermal Profile of a Low-Concentrator Photovoltaic: A COMSOL Simulation

Thermal Profile of a Low-Concentrator Photovoltaic: A COMSOL Simulation

Low Concentrating Photovoltaics (LCPV) for buildings and their performance analyses

Performance enhancement of concentrator photovoltaic systems using nanofluids

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