The Effects Of Temperature, Dust, And Cement-Coal Particles On PV Panel Performance: A Case Study In Iraq

Aisha Koprulu; Yahya Khaleel Kareem; Abdulelah Yaseen; Afrah Turki  Awad

doi:10.23918/eajse.v11i2p25

Authors

Aisha Koprulu Renewable Energy Research Center- Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9839-4357
Yahya Khaleel Kareem Renewable Energy Research Center- Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9736-1054
Abdulelah Yaseen Dept. of Petroleum Eng., College of Eng., Al-Kitab University, Kirkuk, 36015, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0712-3807
Afrah Turki Awad Renewable Energy Research Center- Kirkuk, Northern Technical University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3967-0821

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23918/eajse.v11i2p25

Keywords:

Dust Accumulations, Cement, Coal, Power, Efficiency, PV System

Abstract

In this study, experiments were conducted to assess the cooling performance of traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels using pulsed water spray cooling systems. The efficiency of the panels was also evaluated. The experiments took place over two months at the Al-Kitab University building in Kirkuk, Iraq, under typical weather conditions for the region. During the study, the average outdoor temperature was 39 °C, and the solar radiation measured 920 W/m². The experimental results revealed the following average temperatures for the PV panels: 57.5 °C with dust, 64.1 °C with cement and coal particles, and 36.5 °C when using the water-cooled system. The maximum temperatures of PV panels with varying amounts of dust (200 g, 300 g, 400 g, and 500 g) reached 57 °C, 57 °C, 60 °C, and 63.4 °C, respectively. The electrical performance of the PV panels affected by cement and coal particulates was measured at 71 °C and 58 °C, respectively. The impact of the spray water cooling system was significant, reducing the panel temperature to as low as 34 °C and increasing electrical efficiency from 12.2% to 16%. Based on the experimental data, the overall efficiency of a typical clean panel is estimated to be 12%. The utilization of the spray water system improved panel efficiency to 14.5% while keeping the panels clean and cool.

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