The Development and Performance Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Module’s Surface-to-Rear Temperature Controlled Valve for Cooling Application

Authors

  • M. Mawoli Sokoto Energy research Centre, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto
  • H. N. Yahya Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.
  • B. G. Danshehu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.
  • M. L. Muhammad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.
  • A. S. Bature Sokoto Energy Research Centre, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.

Keywords:

Temperature-controlled, ATmega32, Solenoid valve, solar module, cooling application, energy

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of the developed solar photovoltaic (PV) module's surface-to-rear temperature-controlled solenoid valves for PV module cooling application. The cooling fluid is regulated by energizing normally closed (NC) solenoid valve with control parameters as modules rear and surface temperatures. ATmega32 microcontroller was utilized as central processing unit with two (2) LM35 as input sensors and solenoid valve as an output device. Each of 2-LM35 temperature sensors were dedicated to measure module's rear and surface temperatures respectively. The measured temperature values were coded as controlled parameters for regulating cooling fluid discharge by energizing a NC solenoid valve. The system was observed to discharge cooling fluid by energizing the solenoid valve under module's surface and rear temperature difference of less than or equal to 1.50C (Ts-Tr≤1.50C). The module's mean surface temperatures of 49.310C and 54.920C were recorded for temperature-controlled PV cooling applications and a standard solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. The maximum recorded surface temperatures for temperature-controlled PV cooling and a standard PV/T systems were 54.00C and 57.60C respectively. The mean absorber temperatures of 45.510C and 40.870C were respectively recorded for temperature-controlled PV cooling and standard PV/T. The maximum absorber temperature recorded for temperature-controlled PV cooling and standard PV/T were 48.300C and 41.630C respectively. The solar cells temperature is reduced by 5.38% through solenoid valve temperature controlled solar module cooling application.

Author Biographies

H. N. Yahya, Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.

A professor of Energy engineering, and pioneer Dean, electrical and electronic engineering, usmanu danfodiyo university sokoto 

B. G. Danshehu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.

Former Director General, Sokoto Energy Research Centre; Past President of Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) & Fellow of SESN (FSESN), NSE & COREN.

A profesor of Energy Studies and pioneer Dean, Mechanical Engineering Dept, UDUSok 

M. L. Muhammad, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.

Senior Lecturer with Pure & Applied Chemistry Department 

A. S. Bature, Sokoto Energy Research Centre, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria.

PhD student with Coventry University, United Kingdom

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Published

2020-03-23

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Articles

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