Nanoparticles and Phase Change Materials to Maintain Better Efficiency of Solar Photovoltaic System

The sun is a very promising renewable energy source and solar is the fastest growing source of energy. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are potential to produce electricity at different scales. Direct/indirect solar radiation is used to generate electricity by a PV system. However, heat created by solar radiation decreases the efficiency of PV system. Possible cooling technology will maintain the highest efficiency and life of a PV system. Phase change materials (PCM) are potential to hold the temperature rising of a PV panel, which will help to get better output from the PV system. Moreover, addition of higher thermal conductive nanomaterials with PCM will increase the efficiency of cooling process. In this project, an optimum ratio of nanoparticles and PCM will be characterized by considering latent heat and thermal conductivity. A crystalline silicon PV system will be integrated with nano enhanced PCM to minimize temperature rising of the panel to maintain better efficiency. Performance enhancement as voltage, current, solar radiation, and temperatures will be recorded to analyze the effect of PCM and nanoparticle on PV cooling and electricity generation.