Optimization of solar photovoltaic efficiency using angular inclination: Effect on surface temperature distribution

摘要

Temperature distribution over the surface of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel is essential as over heating lowers the efficiency of the PV module. There have been multiple solutions towards cooling the PV surface during extremely hot sunshine. The mechanism is envisaged to be expensive to construct and maintain. In this research the PV panel was inclined at various degree to determine the best inclination that would allow convective cooling. It was observed that at an inclination of 45°, the convective cooling from surrounding wind was able to regulate the surface temperature. Hence, the sinusoidal trend of thermal heating was distorted significantly-signifying that the convective wind was able to mitigate the PV surface heating.