Using high-frequency ultrasound waves and nanofluid for increasing the efficiency and cooling performance of a PV module

Abstract In this paper, the potential of using high frequency ultrasound for improving cooling performance of a PV module has been investigated experimentally. Atomized CuO nanofluid (0.01–0.8 (w/v)) as well as atomized pure water have been used as coolant fluids. The various parameters such as module surface temperature, maximum power increase and cooling efficiency of PV module using atomized nanofluid have been compared with those of pure water. It has been observed that atomizing the working fluid by ultrasound energy significantly enhance the cooling performance of the studied PV module. Results depict that cooling by atomized nanofluid was more efficient than cooling by atomized pure water. In addition, increasing the nanofluid concentration has positive effect on the cooling efficiency and maximum generated power of PV module. Results show that by atomizing 0.8 (w/v) nanofluid, module average surface temperature decreased up to 57.25% and increase in maximum power reached to 51.1% than the layout with no cooling system.