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Current potential research project

Integrated solar heating and PV cooling system

  1. Supervisors: Dr Frank Bruno and Dr Martin Belusko
  2. Area: Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Energy
  3. Abstract: The efficiency of electric generation from photo-voltaic (PV) modules reduces as the temperature of the panel increases. The objective of this project is to investigate a cost-effective cooling technology for the PV module. The possibility of using the heat collected during the cooling process will be investigated. The work will involve the following: Extensive literature review of PV cooling systems, Development of design concepts for a PV cooling system, Mathematical / computer modelling of a PV cooling system, Construction of a prototype, Testing of prototype and validation of the model.
  4. Related references:
    • Martin, S O, Seitz, C, Ryan, T and Saman, W Y, Techniques for Reducing the Operating Temperature of Solar Cell Modules, Paper P4-1, Proc. ISES 2003 Goteborg, Sweden, (2003).

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