Experimental investigation on a hybrid solar collector to predict safe operating condition

Solar energy, a non-polluting source of power generation is widely used in the recent times in many engineering applications. While using this solar energy on the solar panels with a tracking system, the panel gets damaged due to excess radiation. To overcome this problem, in the present work, fins and PCM (Phase Change Material) are used to reduce the temperature of the panel and thereby increases its life. Fins and PCM are attached to the photovoltaic panel and experiments were conducted with fins and PCM and the results are compared without fins and PCM. The experiment is conducted in the following means namely, tracking and without tracking. Besides, the temperature, voltage and current are measured and hence the power output was evaluated.