Introduction

Solar energy is one of the most sought-after renewable form of energy for power generation.
On a comparative it is the most plentiful available energy resource that is becoming pivotal for
pollution-free and sustainable power generation. Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) cells or
panels are used to convert the light energy from the sun to useful power. The basic principle is
utilizing the photons from the sun to excite electrons in silicon cells. However, the major reason
why these PV cells have not been able to significantly replace non-renewable sources is their
efficiency. Most of the commercially available photovoltaic modules ranges from 10-20%.
However, changes in shape, material and cooling technique of the module can improve the
efficiency of the photovoltaic cell to a considerable extent.
An increase in temperature has a negative impact on the efficiency of a photovoltaic solar cell.
Previously, various experimentations have been carried out which incorporates changing of the
structure and geometry of the apparatus to ensure efficient cooling of the solar cells which in
turn ensures increase in efficiency. Microcrystalline silicon prepared by plasma-enhanced
chemical vapor deposition has been used and analyzed as material for absorber in solar cells.
(Carius, Finger, P, Kluth, & Lambertz, 2007) A flat metallic sheet was used in (Tonui &
Tripanagnostopoulos, 2007) to increase the heat transfer rate in forced air-cooled photovoltaic
cell. A water-cooling system was built in (Moharram, Kandil, & Abd-Elhady, 2013) to allow the
photovoltaic cells to come to their optimum working temperature (Ma, Yang, Zhang, & Z, 2015).
Furthermore, phase change material has also been used to regulate temperature changes and
improve electrical efficiency (Ma, Yang, Zhang, & Z, 2015). Although it is economically
infeasible, it can however be integrated with various other solar cell modules to provide a
combined effect of maximum heat extraction from a solar cell.

This research paper focuses on cooling techniques that utilizes the natural air flow of the
environment and accentuates the heat transfer rate from the solar cells to surroundings. The
proposed model uses wax and aluminum fins to allow the cells to cool down at high
temperature. The wax acts as a barrier between the photovoltaic cell and the aluminum fin
plate. Moreover, the aluminum fin plate is placed in a wooden framework to allow maximum
heat transfer.
Experimental Setup
Apparatus:
To investigate the difference in the readings of the two solar panels, we used a method of cooling the
panel with wax. Fig 1a below shows how the actual apparatus looked like.

Fig 1a

The above shown apparatus offers us to take readings of the two setups of solar panels, one with
cooling and one without. Following is the list of the components we used to perform this experiment.

1. Voltmeter
2. Anemometer
3. Solar Meter
4. Solar Panels
5. Wax
6. Wooden base
7. Aluminum foil
8. Temperature sensor (Thermocouple)
9. Fins
Voltmeter:

Used the voltmeter to take the reading of the two solar panels with the interval of 15 minutes

Anemometer:

This is a QM-1646 Digitech Handheld Anemometer used to measure the maximum speed of the wind
with the intervals of 15 minutes. The sensor(the fan like thing) is held in such a way where it gets the
maximum velocity
Solar Meter:

This is a Handyman TEK 1307 Solar Power meter used to measure the solar energy

Solar Panels:

This is a SANYO AM-1816 Solar cell with the dimensions 97mmx54mm with Glass substrate thickness of
1.1mm; module thickness of 1.3mm and it accepts normal soldering for bending. Its operating
temperature ranges from -10 to 60 centigrade.
Wax:

This is a petroleum jelly used for skin care, which met our demand of the experiment; we needed a
paraffin wax with an appropriate melting point. It has a melting-point range from 38° to 54° C (100° to
130° F). Chemically, petrolatum is a mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the paraffin series.

Temperature Sensor:
The temperature sensor was used to measure the surface temperature of the solar panel without the
fins, furthermore it was also used to measure the temperature of the surface temperature of solar panel
with fins and finally the temperature of the sensor was recorded. All of these readings were taken with
an interval of 15 minutes.

Fins:

Shown above are the fins, which supported the solar panel with wax in it to enhance heat loss. The fins
base was 100xmm60mm with 11 fins 5mm apart from each other.

The solar panel rested over the fins with the wax beneath it. The heat absorbed by the solar panel
conducted through the panel was absorbed by the wax and then to the fins base. Since there were fins
in it so there was more area therefore the heat transferred rapidly from the wax to the fins and then to
the environment.
METHOD:

 First, we took two solar panels and put one on the fins and other one on the normal
base.
 Filled the wax in the fins after which the solar panel and the fins looked something like
this

 After the apparatus was setup as shown above in the figure 1a, following readings were
taken from both the solar panels with an interval of 15 minutes from 9am to 4pm.
 Voltage
 Max Wind Speed
 Temperature
 Environmental
 Surface temperature of panel without fins
 Surface temperature of panel with fins
 Temperature of fins
 Temperature of generator
 Solar energy
Results and Discussions:
Figure 1 below shows the variation of solar irradiance with time. Solar Power meter was used to
gather the data throughout the day from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It can be clearly seen from fig 1 that
the solar irradiance was maximum at around 10:15 AM. A thermometer was used to monitor the
temperature of both the solar cells. Figure 2 shows temperature of the solar cells as a function of
time. The results clearly show that the technique used to cool the solar cell was effective as there
is a noticeable difference between the uncooled and cooled solar modules.

The decrease in the temperature of the cooled cell is because of the heat being transferred from the
solar module to wax layer causing it to melt. Heat from the wax is transferred to the aluminum
plate at the bottom of the wax layer causing it to solidify the wax again and this cycle repeats.
Hence the main mode of heat transfer here is conduction. It is presumed here that the voltage across
the cooled solar cell will be higher than that of the uncooled one. The open circuit voltage of both,
the cooled and uncooled cells, was monitored throughout the day using a multi-meter and Figure
3 shows the results. It can be seen clearly that the voltage of the cooled solar module is higher than
that of the uncooled solar cell. Figure 3 also depicts that there is not much difference between the
voltages of the two cells. An anemometer was used to major the wind speed which plays a major
role in the performance of the cells. Figure 4 shows the trend of changes in wind speed throughout
the day. There is no specific pattern, just random variations as shown in the figure.
The open circuit voltage

Graph 1: Variation of Solar Irradiance versus Time

Figure 2: Temperature of Solar Cells versus Time
Figure 3: Open circuit voltage of cells as a function of Time
Figure 4: Wind Speed as a function of Time

Conclusion
The research paper has investigated cooling of a photovoltaic cell using natural air flow; aluminum fins
and wax are used in the proposed model. A comparison of two photovoltaic cells has been made with
the aid of readings from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. One of the two cells was cooled with the help of fins and
wax. The performance of the photovoltaic cell with the fins surpassed that of the other which had no
fins or wax for cooling. A consistent difference of at least 2-4 degrees in temperature was recorded with
the cell with fins having lesser temperatures. Furthermore, a voltage difference was seen between the
two setups. The photovoltaic cell with the fins had increased voltages in the readings throughout the
day. Cells degrade with high temperature hence decreased voltages were recorded in the cells without
fins.

Acknowledgement
The research presented in this report is carried out in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ghulam
Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology. The authors are grateful for the help of
institute with the apparatus and manufacture of the fins in the workshop.
References
Carius, R., Finger, F., P, H., Kluth, O., & Lambertz, A. (2007). Intrinsic microcrystalline silicon: A new
material for photovoltaics. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 62(1-2), 97-108.

Ma, T., Yang, H., Zhang, Y., & Z, W. (2015). Using phase change materials in photovoltaic systems for
thermal regulation and electrical efficiency improvement: A review and outlook. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 43, 1273-1284.

Moharram, K. A., Kandil, H. A., & Abd-Elhady, M. S. (2013). Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic
panels by water cooling. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 4(4), 869-877.

Tonui, J. K., & Tripanagnostopoulos, Y. (2007). Improved PV/T solar collectors with heat extraction by
forced or natural air circulation. Renewable Energy, 32(4), 623-637.