To Enhance the Efficiency of PV Solar Panel by Integrating Materials such as Copper or Aluminium behind Solar Panel

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels play a pivotal role in the global transition to sustainable and clean energy sources. To maximize the potential of solar energy generation, it is imperative to enhance the efficiency of these panels. This study focuses on the integration of materials such as copper and aluminum behind the solar panel, aiming to boost its overall performance. The research presents a novel approach to improving the efficiency of PV solar panels by introducing copper and aluminum backsheets. The incorporation of these metallic materials offers several advantages, including enhanced heat dissipation, reduced electrical losses, and increased mechanical strength. Copper and aluminum\'s exceptional thermal conductivity helps dissipate excess heat more efficiently, reducing the risk of hotspots and improving overall panel reliability. Additionally, the lower electrical resistivity of these materials minimizes energy losses during the transmission of generated electricity. To investigate the impact of copper and aluminum backsheets, a comprehensive experimental study was conducted, involving the fabrication of prototype panels and their performance evaluation. The results demonstrate significant improvements in energy conversion efficiency, with increased power output and reduced degradation over time. Furthermore, the enhanced mechanical strength provided by these materials contributes to the panels\' durability and resistance to environmental stressors. In conclusion, integrating copper and aluminum backsheets behind PV solar panels represents a promising avenue for improving their efficiency and longevity. This innovation has the potential to play a vital role in accelerating the adoption of solar energy and reducing the world\'s dependence on fossil fuels, making a substantial contribution to a sustainable and cleaner energy future.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Solar energy is very important as it is a clean and renewable source of energy. Thus, this means it will not damage the earth in any way. In addition, it is available on a daily basis. Similarly, it does not cause any kind of pollution. As it is environment-friendly, it is very important in today’s world. It is better than other pollution sources of energies like fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources also it has low maintenance costs. Solar panel systems do not require a lot of solar power energy. Moreover, they come with 5-10 years of warranty which is very beneficial. Most importantly, it reduces the cost of electricity bills. In other words, we use it mostly for cooking and heating up our homes. Thus, it drops the utility bills cost and helps us save some extra money. Further, solar energy also has many possible applications. India has great potential for solar energy because of its location lies between the equator & tropic of cancer. Maximum regions of our country are exposed to direct sunlight throughout the year and sunlight energy is straightly converted into electricity with the help of solar panel. Solar power is a fastest developing industry in world as well as in India. The country’s solar installed capacity was 70.01 Gigawatt as of 30 June 2023.

India as a founding member of “INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE” (ISA) headquarter:- Gurugram (Haryana) put forward the concept of Solar power generation in India ranks fourth globally in 2021.

“One sun one world one grid” and world solar bank to harness abundant solar power on a global scale. Solar energy is the radiation energy from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy received on Earth is more than the world's current and anticipated energy requirements. If suitably harnessed, solar energy has the potential to satisfy all future energy needs of the world.

The above pictograph represents the distribution of solar & wind energy in different regions of our country.

Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra & Tamilnadu are major producer of ground & rooftop mounted solar energy & wind energy. These states play a key role in achieving nation target to reach its 450-gigawatt renewable energy by 2030.

A. Rajasthan

Rajasthan has a higher potential for solar power generation than any other region in the country – but it still trails behind Karnataka and Telangana.

As of June 2023, the operational solar power projects in Rajasthan accounted for about 4,400MW of solar energy, while 1,900MW more are in the pipeline. By 2025, Rajasthan aims to install a total capacity of 30,000MW of solar energy.

The 14000 acre Bhadla Solar Park in Jodhpur is currently the world’s largest operational solar park , with a capacity of 2,245MW of installed solar energy. Rajasthan is also home to India’s only tower type solar thermal power plant.

The central government has revealed plans for a 25,000MW ultra- mega renewable energy park. In the next three years, during the project’s first phase, 10,000MW of solar power capacity will be installed in the state.

B. Gujarat

India needs a lot more solar power as part of its plans to get half of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030, and ultimately reach net – zero emissions by 2070.solar now accounts for around 7% of India’s electricity generation according to the Central Electricity Authority of India – at more than 60GW. Solar power in Gujarat a state of India, is a fast developing industry due to mostly desert. It was one of the first states to develop solar generation capacity in India.

As of 31 March 2023, total installed solar power generation capacity of the state was 7,285 MW.

As we know that Gujarat is a coastal area an installed capacity of 8,900 megawatts of wind power and 6,200 megawatts of solar power, Gujarat stands second and third in the country in the respective sectors.

In the wind power sector, Gujarat stands second in the country with a 22 per cent share. In solar energy, Gujarat is the third with a13%share. We are encouraging people to set up solar rooftops on their residences. Gujarat tops the list of states in setting up solar rooftops. Out of the total solar rooftop capacity in India, 25 per cent (1,640 megawatts) is in Gujarat. In the last five years, 1,258 megawatts of solar rooftops have been set up on houses. More than

3.25 lakh residents have been given Rs 2,151 crore during this five- year period. NTPC Limited will build the country's single largest solar park of Rann of Katch in Gujarat from where it also plans to generate green hydrogen on a commercial scale. NTPC Renewable Energy - subsidiary of state-run NTPC Limited received the government's approval to establish a 4,750 MW renewable energy park at Rann of Kutch in Khavada Gujarat.

This will be the country's largest solar park to be established by the largest power producer in India. NTPC the country's largest energy integrated company, has aimed to establish 60 GW renewable energy capacity by 2032, as part of its green energy project.

V. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

For the installation of solar panel, first we have to check the location, solar irradiance, space etc. There is availability of proper sun light from sunrise to sunset without any disturbance like shadow, dust etc. An off grid solar system is advice to installed for low consumption of electricity or personal needs. There are several experiment has been done to increase the efficiency of solar panel but in every experiments there is need of some improvements either they are not economical or it need some electrical appliances like DC motor which require electrical energy to run it which decreases the net output. Water cooling system gives good efficiency but it again require DC pump which run electricity to sprinkle water on solar panel.

After reading lots of research paper, it is advised to install solar panel with aluminum panel in rear side which has high thermal conductivity gives proper cooling to solar panel by dissipating maximum amount of heat through surface convection and it is permanent solution which does not require any maintenance and also not require any electrical energy hence it gives better efficiency. The project has a very strong scope as conventional electrical energy rate is increasing and it is environment friendly.

VII. FUTURE SCOPE TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF SOLAR PANEL

Various methods were discussed earlier to increase the efficiency of the solar panel:-

To enhance the more efficiency further, some of the research gaps were identified to carryout needful research.

1. Materials such as copper is to be used in the back side of solar panel for better heat dissipation or uniformly at higher rate as it has very high thermal conductivity.
2. Condenser heat exchanger is to be installed made up of copper having liquid refrigerant as water is used in back side of panel to cool the solar panel.

Conclusion

In this research, the performance of an off – grid solar system having Aluminum panel is installed in rear side of panel. The main objective of this study is to provide a best design that gives better efficiency as compare to pervious research study on this topic which is also economical as well as environment friendly. In this system design, efficiency of solar panel increases by 1-2% in all the observation table of experiments. In order to read the performance of solar panel with my set up voltage, current, surface temperature and solar irradiance are continuously monitored. These above data helps to read and improve the efficiency of solar panel. This set up does not require any extra surface area to install the aluminum panel. Hence, for any PV solar panel installation, this method can be referred to give good efficiency and it is permanent solution, economical and environment friendly.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Saurav Kumar, Amit Agrawal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.