Enhancement of Photovoltaic Panel Efficiency by Using Coir Fiber Sheet Evaporative Cooling

Abstract

The objective of this report is to study the efficiency enhancement of photovoltaic panel by reducing the temperature of the panel using evaporative cooling with coir fiber sheet obtained from soaking coir fiber sheet in water. This affects the electricity production of photovoltaic. Based on the experimental results of the research, the main factors affecting the ability to produce electricity from photovoltaic are the amount of water in the evaporating coir fiber sheet and the ambient temperature. These factors lead to a decrease in the temperature of the photovoltaic panel. The experiments were conducted using 320 W solar cells tilted at a 15- degree angle from the horizontal, facing south, in King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok. The coir fiber sheet, with a thickness of 1 cm, was soaked in ambient water for 5 minutes twice before testing. The tests were conducted from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm and from 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm. A total of 3.77 kg of water was used. The results showed an average temperature reduction on the rear of the panel of 7. 76°C with the maximum reduction being 14. 93°C. The maximum electricity production was 269. 16 W at a voltage of 34. 42 V and a current of 7. 82 A, resulting in the average power output increased by 7. 77% and the average panel efficiency being 1. 09% higher compared to a panel without evaporative cooling.