In this activity you will learn about how a photovoltaic (PV) works, and then carry out
research into either the key efficiency loss mechanisms, or certain current PV
technologies. you are required to prepare a report on Fundamental thermodynamic losses (Carnot efficiency and blackbody radiation).
The report should include details on:
• Explanation of the loss mechanism, including basic theory behind it
• An approach that is being investigated to mitigate the specific loss mechanism in
research, or to try to approach this limit (particularly for category 1)
You must also complete a problem determining the cooling air mass flow
rate for solar photovoltaic cells. USING THE INFORMATION BELOW!!!
Determining cooling air mass flow rate for solar photovoltaic cells
In a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, efficient cooling is essential to maintain the
optimal operating temperature of PV cells, ensuring maximum energy conversion. For a
particular PV installation, the cells are exposed to intense sunlight, and a cooling
system using air circulation is employed to dissipate heat.
(a) Based on your lab, explain which method (pitot or venturi) is most suitable to
measure the calculated mass flow rate if you were to build the cooling system.
(b) Calculate the mass flow rate of cooling air (𝑚 ̇ ) needed to maintain the solar cells
within the allowable temperature rise.
Given Data
• Solar cell surface area exposed to sunlight: 𝐴 = 50 𝑚2
• Solar irradiance: 𝐺 = 100 𝑊/𝑚2
• Efficiency of the photovoltaic cells: 𝜂 = 15%
• Specific heat of air: 𝐶𝑝 = 1005 𝐽/𝑘𝑔𝐾
• Temperature rise allowable for the solar cells: ∆𝑇 = 30 𝐾
• Time of operation: 𝑡 = 6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
Assumptions
• All incident solar radiation is absorbed by the PV cells.
• The entire absorbed energy is converted to electricity with the given efficiency.
• The cooling system maintains a uniform temperature across the solar cell
surface.
Report Structure:
The maximum by number of pages for the technical proposal is 6. This excludes
references, title page, or appendices. The information in the proposal should reflect the
data calculated and the KEY information found. The key headings to include are:
• Abstract – an overall summary of the report including highlights and key results.
• Introduction – summary of the findings from the background section.
• Project topic – detail on the topic including how a photovoltaic (PV) works, and
then carry out research into either the key efficiency loss mechanisms, or certain
current PV technologies.
• Basis of design discussion – justification of your choices in design and strategy.
• Cooling of PV cell calculation and discussion.
• Conclusion
The submission document is a report, which should be clearly written and must argue
for why your design is the best. The report should explain, as briefly and as succinctly as
possible, the main aspects of your assessment. It should have a minimum font size of 11 pt (Times or Arial), single paragraph spacing, and a minimum of 2 cm margins. Make sure you proof-read your work and that the presentation is consistent throughout.
IMPORTANT!!!
Use the MARKING RUBIC to know how the report should be and be aiming for the highest mark.
Last thing include chart or graph or table etc. for any thing it needs to be used for or any data and for the references you can use old references to only compare them to new references but the new references should be between 2019 to 2024.
