Modelling and Simulation of Concentrating Photovoltaic System with Earth Water Heat Exchanger Cooling

Abstract

In the present paper, a novel cooling system for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) which is termed as earth water heat exchanger (EWHE) is modeled and simulated for local conditions of Pilani, Rajasthan. The CPV temperature and power output are obtained with respect to variation in mass flow rate of fluid and concentration ratio (CR). The simulation results shows that the maximum CPV temperature goes up to 416.36 °C at 3 Suns without any cooling, while with cooling it is reduced down to 85.28 °C for the mass flow rate of 0.022 kg/s. CPV temperature drop and power output increases with increasing in mass flow rate when it operated with EWHE in a closed loop. The mass flow rate of 0.022 kg/s is estimated as suitable flow rate as it may be used for the practical applications. It is also observed that with increase in mass flow rate the outlet temperature of CPV/T decreased.