Experimental study on the cooling of PV solar panels using fins with innovative shapes

Abstract

This experimental study highlights the effectiveness of integrating passive cooling fins into photovoltaic (PV) panels to improve both thermal regulation and electrical performance. Two fin configurations were tested under real outdoor conditions to assess the impact of fin geometry on heat dissipation and energy output. In the first experiment, standard vertical fins were mounted on the back surface of the PV panel. This setup resulted in a temperature reduction ranging from 7°C to 9.5°C and a power increase of up to 2.14 W, reaching a peak output of 53 W. The efficiency improvement reached up to 43.9%, confirming the benefit of passive cooling in mitigating temperature-induced losses. The second experiment employed a more advanced design with cross-shaped perforated fins. This configuration demonstrated superior performance, reducing the panel temperature by 9°C to 14°C and increasing power output by up to 4 W, with a maximum of 59 W. The efficiency gain reached 53%, which is approximately 10% higher than that of the vertical fin setup. The findings demonstrate that passive cooling, especially with optimized fin geometries, is a simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient method for enhancing PV system performance. These improvements are particularly valuable in high-radiation environments, where elevated panel temperatures can negatively affect energy yield and longevity. The study underscores the potential of innovative thermal management designs and encourages further research into both passive and hybrid cooling solutions to advance solar energy efficiency.