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Performance investigation on photovoltaic thermal collector by using zinc oxide nanofluids

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Abstract

The efficiency of solar power generation has been severely hampered by the rising temperatures of these cells. In an effort to lessen this difficulty, an outdoor experimental inquiry carried out in Chennai is presented in this research report. To lower PV temperatures, coolants such as water and water-based nanofluids, specifically zinc oxide nanofluids, were used. The results showed that the PVT collector’s thermal and electrical efficiency had been greatly increased by the introduction of nanofluids. At 1.0 LPM, the PVT collector had a maximum electrical efficiency of 17.48% and a maximum thermal efficiency of 49.87%. The nanofluid-cooled PVT collector performed better than freestanding PV modules and water-cooled PVT systems, according to the comparison study. The research also identified difficulties with nanofluid cooling, such as decreased effectiveness during times of maximum solar radiation. All things considered, this study offers insightful information on how to use nanofluids to optimize PVT collector performance, providing ways to improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai, India

    N. Poyyamozhi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, KCG College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 097, India

    M. Muthukannan

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veltech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, 600062, India

    P. Chandrakumar

  4. Centre for Sustainable Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jaya Engineering College, Prakash Nagar, C T H Road, Thirunindravur, Chennai, 602024, India

    B. Srimanickam

  5. Department of Mechanical Engineering Er. Perumal Manimekalai College of Engineering, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, 635117, India

    K. Elangovan

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  1. N. Poyyamozhi
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  2. M. Muthukannan
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  3. P. Chandrakumar
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  4. B. Srimanickam
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  5. K. Elangovan
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Contributions

P. Chandrakumar has contributed Literature survey of the paper.K.Elangovan has contributed Introduction, Specifics of the Experiment.B Srimanickam has contributed rest of the work as well as overall writing and final stage of the paper.Poyyamozhi N has contributed Results and DiscussionsMuthukannan M has contributed alignment.

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Correspondence to B. Srimanickam.

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Poyyamozhi, N., Muthukannan, M., Chandrakumar, P. et al. Performance investigation on photovoltaic thermal collector by using zinc oxide nanofluids. Interactions 245, 244 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-024-02081-y

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