Performance Augumation of PV/Solar Chimney Using Gravel Bed: Experimental Appraisal

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and enhance the performance of a solar/voltage chimney by incorporating porous media, specifically using a gravel layer beneath the solar panels to facilitate cooling and improve efficiency. The gravel acts as a heat transfer medium, dissipating heat from the panels to the surrounding air, thereby reducing their temperature. A comparative analysis was conducted between systems with and without porous media. The results demonstrated that integrating porous media enhances the performance of the hybrid photovoltaic/solar chimney. Specifically, the electrical energy output increased from 395.56 W without porous media to 447.98 W with porous media at noon. The peak electrical efficiency was observed at the beginning of the test, reaching 14.51% without porous media and 15.22% with porous media at 9 a.m. At midday, electrical efficiency was 11.5% without porous media and 12.2% with porous media. However, as solar radiation intensity increased, efficiency gradually declined. On the other hand, the thermal efficiency of the chimney with porous media was lower compared to the system without it, with values of 53.45% and 59.611%, respectively. The total efficiency of the system without porous media was 65%, while with porous media, it reached 59.611%.