The Effect of Soybean Wax as a Phase Change Material on the Cooling Performance of Photovoltaic Solar Panel

Abstract

Solar energy is renewable energy with infinite amounts and low emissions. The work of the solar panel is affected by the increase in its working temperatures. In this study, 50 Wp polycrystalline solar panel with and without soybean wax placed on backplate solar panels using PCM container as a passive cooling system were simulated on the solar simulator with variations in light intensity of 400 W/m2, 600 W/m2, 900 W/m2, 1000 W/m2, and 1100 W/m2. The blower was simulated the ambient wind in the surrounding area constantly. The PV panel temperature simulation approach was carried out to determine the error in the experimental results. The simulation obtained the average temperature at 1100 W/m2 intensity of PV panels with and without soybean wax PCM 56.8℃ and 48.6℃, respectively. The experiment show that PV applied with soybean wax as a passive cooling system can reduce the maximum PV temperature at 1100 W/m2 intensity from 60.7℃ to 54.7℃ and increase its maximum efficiency by 0.42% at 900 W/m2 intensity. Soybean wax cooling system has proven to be effective in reducing PV temperature. The error values from the simulation and experimental results of PV panels with and without PCM are 6.9% and 12.61%, respectively.