An efficient pulsed- spray water cooling system for photovoltaic panels: Experimental study and cost analysis

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 164; pp. 867 - 875
• Main Authors: Hadipour, Amirhosein, Rajabi Zargarabadi, Mehran, Rashidi, Saman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Cost analysis; Electrical efficiency; Photovoltaic panels; Pulsed-spray; Water cooling system; Photovoltaic panels; Electrical efficiency; Cost analysis; Water cooling system; Pulsed-spray
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.09.021

Cooling of photovoltaic panels is an important factor in enhancing electrical efficiency, reducing solar cell destruction, and maximizing the lifetime of these useful solar systems. Generally, the traditional cooling techniques consume considerable amount of water, which can be a major problem for large scale photovoltaic power stations. In this experimental study, a pulsed-spray water cooling system is designed for photovoltaic panels to improve the efficiency of these solar systems and decrease the water consumption during the cooling process. The results of the photovoltaic panel with the pulsed-spray water cooling system are compared with the steady-spray water cooling system and the uncooled photovoltaic panel. A cost analysis is also conducted to determine the financial benefits of employing the new cooling systems for the photovoltaic panels. The results show that as compared with the case of non-cooled panel, the maximum electrical power output of the photovoltaic panel increases about 33.3%, 27.7%, and 25.9% by using the steady-spray water cooling, the pulsed-spray water cooling with DC = 1 and 0.2, respectively. The pulsed-spray water cooling system with DC = 0.2 can reduce the water consumption to one-ninth in comparison with the case of steady-flow one. The levelized cost of electricity by the uncooled system was found lower than the spray-cooled systems but very near to pulsed-spray water cooling with DC = 0.2. The levelized cost of electricity produced by the PV system is reduced about 46.5% and 76.3% by using the pulsed-spray water cooling system with DC = 1 and 0.2, respectively as compared with the case of steady-spray water cooling system. As a result, the new pulsed-spray water cooling is efficient from the economic point of view. •A pulsed-spray water cooling system is designed for photovoltaic panels.•Pulsed-spray increases PV power output by 27.7% compared to the uncooled case.•Pulsed-spray is effective using only 1/9 of water required for steady flow cooling.•Pulsed-spray cooling is more economically effective than steady flow cooling.•Levelised cost of energy from pulse-cooled PV is marginally higher than uncooled PV.