Investigating the Effects of Solar Tracking Systems on Thermal Profile of Photovoltaic Modules

Ibrahim Khalil Almadani, Ibrahim Sufian Osman, Nasir Ghazi Hariri, Muhammad Saleem, Nagmeldeen A M Hassanain

Abstract


The world tends to rely more on solar photovoltaic energy as a reliable and affordable source of clean energy. The temperature of solar cells is one of the main factors affecting the efficiency of PV modules. The experimental study investigated the effects of solar tracking systems (STS) on their thermal profile under real-world harsh environmental conditions in Dammam city, Saudi Arabia, on a sunny day for different configurations of STS such as fixed-tilt PV module (FTPV), single-axis solar tracking system (SAST), and dual-axis solar tracking system (DAST), simultaneously. The experimental results proved that various STS have a noticeable effect on the temperature of PV modules. Differences in back-surfaces temperature between SAST and DAST compared to FTPV were recorded as 3.77% and 4.57%, respectively, while peak temperature differences of about 4.13 °C and 4.5 °C, respectively. In addition, differences in front-surfaces temperature of 2.59 °C and 5.1 °C were recorded between SAST and DAST compared to FTPV, respectively. Although the temperature profiles of the front-surfaces and back-surfaces of PV modules differed, both systems depicted similar thermal profiles. It was observed that during the solar noontime, the temperature differences were not significant, while differences in temperature profiles raised again toward the end of the day. The effect of wind speed on the temperature profiles of PV modules based on the STS was also investigated. The presented work contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insight into the effects of STS under real environmental conditions on the thermal performance of PV modules.

Keywords


Thermal analysis; Solar tracking; Single-axis; Dual-axis; Photovoltaic; Wind; Renewable Energy

Full Text:

PDF

References


J. Raglend, R. Dharavath, “Intelligent controller based solar photovoltaic with battery storage, fuel cell integration for power conditioning”. IJRER, 9, 859-867 (2019).

A. Akgün, S. C. Y?lmaz, and M. E. Cebeci, "A study on undesired case of unlicensed PV power plants in Turkey with regard to DSO," in 2016 IEEE International Co.

M. Saleem and F. Al?Amri, "Multi?attribute analysis of micro?defect detection techniques suitable for automated production line of solar wafers and cells," IET Renewable Power Generation vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 1413-1423, 2020.

G. Acciari et al., "PV systems in the vertical walls: A comparison of innovative structures," in 2016 IEEE International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA), 2016, pp. 1185-1190: IEEE.

A. Majdi, M. D. Alqahtani, A. Almakytah, and M. Saleem, "Fundamental study related to the development of modular solar panel for improved durability and repairability," IET Renewable Power Generation vol. 15, no. 7, pp. 1382-1396, 2021.

K. Okedu, H. Nadabi, A. Aziz, "Prospects of Solar Energy in Oman: case of oil and gas industries," ijSmartGrid vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 138-151, 2019.

A. Harrouz, A. Temmam, M. Abbes, "Renewable energy in algeria and energy management systems," ijSmartGrid vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 34-39, 2018.

A. Coelho, R. Castro, “Sun tracking PV power plants: Experimental validation of irradiance and power output prediction models”. IJRER, 2, 23-32 (2012).

S. Seme, B. Štumberger, M. Hadžiselimovi?, K. Sredenšek,” Solar Photovoltaic Tracking Systems for Electricity Generation: A Review”. Energies (Basel) 13, 4224 (2020).

A. G. Alkholidi H. Hamam, "Solar energy potentials in Southeastern European countries: A case study," ijSmartGrid vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 108-119, 2019

U. Pillai, “Drivers of cost reduction in solar photovoltaics,” Energy economics, vol. 50, pp. 286-293, 2015.

G. Kavlak, J. McNerney, J. E. Trancik, and C. M. A. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, “Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules,” Energy policy, vol. 123, no. C, pp. 700-710, 2018.

N. Al-Rousan, N. A. M. Isa, and M. K. M. Desa, “Advances in solar photovoltaic tracking systems: A review,” Renewable & sustainable energy reviews, vol. 82, pp. 2548-2569, 2018.

N. H. Muslim, S. A. Ghadhban, K. Hilal, "Enhancement of solar photovoltaic module performance by using a water-cooling chamber for climatic conditions of Iraq," IJRER vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 1103-1110, 2020.

S. Seme, B. Štumberger, M. Hadžiselimovi?, and K. Sredenšek, “Solar Photovoltaic Tracking Systems for Electricity Generation: A Review,” Energies (Basel), vol. 13, no. 16, p. 4224, 2020.

H. Bouzakri, A. Abbou, “Mono-axial solar tracker with equatorial mount, for an improved model of a photovoltaic panel”. IJRER,10, 578-590 (2020).

M. Alshawaf, R. Poudineh, N. S. Alhajeri, “Solar PV in Kuwait: The effect of ambient temperature and sandstorms on output variability and uncertainty ” . Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 134, 110346 (2020).

S. Racharla and K. Rajan, “Solar tracking system - a review,” International journal of sustainable engineering, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 72-81, 2017.

W. Nsengiyumva, S. G. Chen, L. Hu, X. Chen, “Recent advancements and challenges in Solar Tracking Systems (STS): A review.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 81, 250-279 (2018).

S. Racharla, K. Rajan, “Solar tracking system – a review”. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering 10, 72-81 (2017).

A. Z. Hafez, A. M. Yousef, N. M. Harag, “Solar tracking systems: Technologies and trackers drive types – A review”. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 91, 754-782 (2018).

S. Ghabusnejad, A. Majdi, S. Davari, “Using P&O based sensorless method in single-axis solar tracker”. IJRER, 9, 532-541 (2019).

A. E. Hammoumi, S. Motahhir, A. E. Ghzizal, A. Chalh, and A. Derouich, “A simple and low?cost active dual?axis solar tracker,” Energy science & engineering, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 607-620, 2018.

X. Ngo, T. Nguyen, N. Do, D. Nguyen, D. Vo , S. Lam, D. Heo , M. Shokouhimehr, V. Nguyen, R. Varma, S. Kim, Q. Le, “ Grid-connected photovoltaic systems with single-axis sun tracker: case study for Central Vietnam” energies (Basel, Switzerland). 2020, 13 (6), 1457.

Q. Juliano da Rocha, S. Anacreone da Silva, M. K. Gussoli, O. Júlio César Dainezi de, A. Cid Marcos Gonçalves, "Construction and Automation of a Microcontrolled Solar Tracker," Processes, vol. 8, no. 1309, p. 1309, 2020.

S. A. S. Eldin, M. S. Abd-Elhady, and H. A. Kandil, “Feasibility of solar tracking systems for PV panels in hot and cold regions,” Renewable Energy, vol. 85, pp. 228-233, 2016/01/01/ 2016.

M. U. Siddiqui and A. F. M. Arif, “Electrical, thermal and structural performance of a cooled PV module: Transient analysis using a multiphysics model,” Applied energy, vol. 112, pp. 300-312, 2013.

F. Ghasemzadeh, M. Esmaeilzadeh, M. Shayan, "Photovoltaic Temperature Challenges and Bismuthene Monolayer Properties," ijSmartGrid vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 190-195, 2020.

P. Dwivedi, K. Sudhakar, A. Soni, E. Solomin, and I. Kirpichnikova, “Advanced cooling techniques of P.V. modules: A state of art,” Case studies in thermal engineering, vol. 21, p. 100674, 2020.

S. C. Kaushik, R. Rawat, and S. Manikandan, “An innovative thermodynamic model for performance evaluation of photovoltaic systems: Effect of wind speed and cell temperature,” Energy conversion and management, vol. 136, pp. 152-160, 2017.

A. A. E. Amin and M. A. Al-Maghrabi, “The Analysis of Temperature Effect for mc-Si Photovoltaic Cells Performance,” SILICON, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1551-1555, 2018.

F. AlAmri, G. AlZohbi, M. AlZahrani, and M. Aboulebdah, “Analytical Modeling and Optimization of a Heat Sink Design for Passive Cooling of Solar PV Panel,” Sustainability (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 13, no. 6, p. 3490, 2021.

T. Al Hanai, R. B. Hashim, L. El Chaar, and L. A. Lamont, “Environmental effects on a grid connected 900 W photovoltaic thin-film amorphous silicon system,” Renewable energy, vol. 36, no. 10, pp. 2615-2622, 2011.

B. Hammad, M. Al–Abed, A. Al–Ghandoor, A. Al–Sardeah, and A. Al–Bashir, “Modeling and analysis of dust and temperature effects on photovoltaic systems’ performance and optimal cleaning frequency: Jordan case study,” Renewable & sustainable energy reviews, vol. 82, pp. 2218-2234, 2018.

M. Piliougine, A. Oukaja, M. Sidrach?de?Cardona, and G. Spagnuolo, “Temperature coefficients of degraded crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules at outdoor conditions,” Progress in photovoltaics, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 558-570, 2021.

A. A. B. Baloch, H. M. S. Bahaidarah, P. Gandhidasan, and F. A. Al-Sulaiman, “Experimental and numerical performance analysis of a converging channel heat exchanger for PV cooling,” Energy conversion and management, vol. 103, pp. 14-27, 2015.

S. Armstrong and W. G. Hurley, “A thermal model for photovoltaic panels under varying atmospheric conditions,” Applied thermal engineering, vol. 30, no. 11, pp. 1488-1495, 2010.

A. Dhaundiyal and D. Atsu, “The effect of wind on the temperature distribution of photovoltaic modules,” Solar energy, vol. 201, pp. 259-267, 2020.

J. h. Choi, J. Hyun, W. Lee, B.-G. Bhang, Y. K. Min, and H.-K. Ahn, “Power performance of high density photovoltaic module using energy balance model under high humidity environment,” Solar energy, vol. 219, pp. 50-57, 2021.

M. A. Salam and S. A. Khan, “Transition towards sustainable energy production – A review of the progress for solar energy in Saudi Arabia,” Energy Exploration & Exploitation vol. 36, ed. London, England: SAGE Publications, 2018, pp. 3-27.

A. Awan, M. Zubair, P. P, and A. Abokhalil, “Solar Energy Resource Analysis and Evaluation of Photovoltaic System Performance in Various Regions of Saudi Arabia,” Sustainability (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 10, no. 4, p. 1129, 2018.

S. Rehman and I. El-Amin, “Performance evaluation of an off-grid photovoltaic system in Saudi Arabia,” Energy (Oxford), vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 451-458, 2012.

M. Zouine, A. Bennouna, N. Aarich, M. Akhsassi, N. Erraissi, M. Raoufi, "Confrontation with the Experience of 48 Combinations of Models of the Thermal and Electrical Behavior of Crystalline Solar Modules," IJRER vol. 8, p. 15, 2021.

D. Torres, J. Crichigno “Influence of Reflectivity and Cloud Cover on the Optimal TiltAngle of Solar Panels”. Resources (Basel) 2015, 4 (4), 736-75




DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijrer.v11i4.12344.g8310

Refbacks



Online ISSN: 1309-0127

Publisher: Gazi University

IJRER is cited in SCOPUS, EBSCO, WEB of SCIENCE (Clarivate Analytics);

IJRER has been cited in Emerging Sources Citation Index from 2016 in web of science.

WEB of SCIENCE in 2025; 

h=35,

Average citation per item=6.59

Last three Years Impact Factor=(1947+1753+1586)/(146+201+78)=5286/425=12.43

Category Quartile:Q4