Investigation of photovoltaic thermal performance using air jet impingement as cooling system with varying jet diameters and phase change material

One of the most important factors affecting the electrical and thermal efficiency of Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) is the rise in their temperature due to sunlight. In this study, the experimental effect of jet cooling on solar cells with different diameters and with phase change material (PCM) as an energy storage source was investigated. Two jet diameters (5 and 8 mm) were used to test the PV cell temperature. The goal is to maximize the cooling and optimize the high efficiency of the PV panel and to achieve a hotter air outflow. The 8 mm hole diameter jet appears to be the better choice, especially during peak hours of solar irradiance. The result shows an enhancement in electrical conversion efficiency in case 8 mm, achieving a 9.4 % improvement compared with the case without jet and PCM. The thermal efficiency of diameter 8 mm is higher and it reaching to a 5 % improvement comparison in case 5 mm diameter. The experimental results were favorable when compared to the theoretical results obtained using numerical solution.