Hybrid photovoltaic module for efficiency improvement through an automatic water cooling system: A prototype case study

The photovoltaic modules have significant losses in the power generation potential due to heating of the cells by solar irradiation. In this way, the objective of this research is the development of a prototype of Hybrid Photovoltaic Module. It uses an automatic water cooling system aiming to increase its efficiency in converting the solar irradiation into electricity and thermal energies. This work was limited to the design and prototyping of a hybrid photovoltaic module and followed three phases of the product development process: (i) Technologies Background; (ii) Conceptual Model; (iii) Detailed Design and Prototype Development. The results analysis of the developed prototype presented a reduction in the average operating temperature and the increase of the PV panel efficiency. The Hybrid Photovoltaic Module enabled the utilization of two different energy production efficiencies since the module absorbs solar irradiation and transforms this energy into electrical and thermal energies at the same time through heating of the water. The prototype showed an average efficiency improvement of 33.28% when is considered the combined production of electricity and thermal energy. Therefore, the results showed to be promising since it was evident that this type of hybrid module should be applied to tropical countries obtaining higher efficiency and economic advantages due to the solar irradiation available and photovoltaic module temperature control. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.