Effect of Water Cooling on Photovoltaic Performance and Efficiency

Mohammed Abdulbaqi Mousay Hamad; Ali Mahmoud Ali  Elsheikhi; Farag Abed Abrayik Farag

المؤلفون

Mohammed Abdulbaqi Mousay Hamad Renewable Energies Department, High Institute of Science and Technology suluq, Benghazi Libya المؤلف
Ali Mahmoud Ali Elsheikhi Renewable Energies Department, High Institute of Science and Technology suluq, Benghazi Libya المؤلف
Farag Abed Abrayik Farag Renewable Energies Department, High Institute of Science and Technology suluq, Benghazi Libya المؤلف

الكلمات المفتاحية:

Photovoltaic panels، Water cooling، Solar irradiance، Efficiency improvement، Hot climate

الملخص

Photovoltaic (PV) panels exhibit reduced electrical performance as their surface temperature rises due to direct solar radiation, mainly in hot climates. This study experimentally evaluates the effectiveness of continuous water cooling applied to the back surface of a 50 W polycrystalline PV module in Benghazi, Libya. Measurements of solar irradiance, module surface temperature, open-circuit voltage (Voc), current (I), and maximum power (Pmax) were recorded at 10-minute intervals during peak solar hours under two conditions: without cooling (control) and with continuous water circulation. The water cooling reduced the module temperature by an average of approximately 3 °C, which resulted in a measurable increase in Voc and current. Consequently, the maximum power output increased by about 8% and the overall module efficiency improved by roughly 7% compared to the uncooled condition. The findings indicate that simple water-cooling systems can be a low-cost and effective method to mitigate thermal losses and enhance PV performance in hot regions. Recommendations include testing the approach across different PV technologies and assessing sustainability when water resources are limited.

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