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Numerical Investigation on Heat Pipe Spanwise Spacing to Determine Optimum Configuration for Passive Cooling of Photovoltaic Panels

Author

Listed:
  • Samiya Aamir Al-Mabsali

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, P.O. Box 294 345, Dubai, UAE)

  • Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, P.O. Box 294 345, Dubai, UAE)

  • Mehreen Saleem Gul

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

Abstract

The uncertainty regarding the capacity of photovoltaics to generate adequate renewable power remains problematic due to very high temperatures in countries experiencing extreme climates. This study analyses the potential of heat pipes as a passive cooling mechanism for solar photovoltaic panels in the Ecohouse of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Oman, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A baseline model has been set-up comprised of 20 units, 20 mm diameter water-filled heat pipes, with a length of 992 mm attached to a photovoltaic panel measuring 1956 mm × 992 mm. Using the source temperature of 64.5 °C (337.65 K), the findings of this work have established that a temperature reduction in the range of up to 9 °C is achievable when integrating heat pipes into photovoltaic panels. An optimum spacing of 50 mm (2.5 times the diameter of the heat pipe) was determined through this work, which is also a proof-of-concept towards the use of heat pipe technology for passive cooling of photovoltaic panels in hot climates.

Suggested Citation

  • Samiya Aamir Al-Mabsali & Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry & Mehreen Saleem Gul, 2019. "Numerical Investigation on Heat Pipe Spanwise Spacing to Determine Optimum Configuration for Passive Cooling of Photovoltaic Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:24:p:4635-:d:294891
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Al-Sabounchi, Ammar M. & Yalyali, Saeed A. & Al-Thani, Hamda A., 2013. "Design and performance evaluation of a photovoltaic grid-connected system in hot weather conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 71-78.
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    Cited by:

    1. Samiya Aamir Al-Mabsali & Jay Pillo Candido & Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry & Mehreen Saleem Gul, 2021. "Investigation of an Inclined Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger as a Passive Cooling Mechanism on a Photovoltaic Panel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Shuailing Ma & Yingai Jin & Firoz Alam, 2024. "Heat Pipe-Based Cooling Enhancement for Photovoltaic Modules: Experimental and Numerical Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Gao, Yuanzhi & Wu, Dongxu & Dai, Zhaofeng & Wang, Changling & Chen, Bo & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2023. "A comprehensive review of the current status, developments, and outlooks of heat pipe photovoltaic and photovoltaic/thermal systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 539-574.

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