Evaluation of a hybrid system to improve the electrical efficiency in photovoltaic panels

This project shows a photovoltaic hybrid system (PHS) that follows the sun using electronic and mechanical devices and reduces the solar panel's temperature with water in order to increase the energy obtained.The system was... [ view full abstract ]

This project shows a photovoltaic hybrid system (PHS) that follows the sun using electronic and mechanical devices and reduces the solar panel's temperature with water in order to increase the energy obtained.

The system was designed and implemented with a 1-axis solar tracker system (TS) and a water cooling system (WCS). The main goal was to improve the electrical efficiency conversion increasing energy production through the day. PHS allows solar radiation beams to fall almost perpendicularly and decreases the temperature of the solar panel. Finally, its performance is compared against a traditional fixed photovoltaic system (FPS) oriented at 15° facing south.

The PHS and FPS were fully characterized on an embedded microcontroller. The variables measured were solar radiation, voltage, current, temperature and position. Experiments were made during seven days between December 1st and December 19th 2017 in the city of Güadalajara de Buga, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The test consisted on using the same photovoltaic panels in both PHS and FPS. They were loaded directly with electric loads at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the total power capacity of the solar panels. All measurements were taken simultaneously.

Results points out that electrical efficiency of the PHS increased 5.03% compared to the FPS in the same environmental conditions. Finally, the PHS shows daily additional average power between 37% and 40% when it is loaded with electric loads of 80% and 100%.