Theoretical and operational thermal performance of a 'wet' crystalline silicon PV module under Jamaican conditions

This paper presents the results of the impact of a gravity-fed cooling technique applied to a photovoltaic module. The experiment shows that the technique increases the power output of the module by reversing the negative effects of elevated cell temperature on open circuit voltage, and this without the use of a circulating pump. The cooling technique employs the hydraulic head of water from an upstream source as the driving force that passes water over the back of the module, and this keeps the module temperature constant. The experimental results and the results of mathematical model on which it is predicated on are in very close agreement. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.