RSET/
Articles/
2505000627
  • Open Access
  • Article
Heat Pipe PV/T System under Hot Climate Conditions-Experimental and Simulation Analysis of System Performance
  • Amani Alajmi 1,   
  • Alina Żabnieńska-Góra 1, 2,   
  • Hussam Jouhara 1, 3, *

Received: 14 Feb 2025 | Revised: 17 Mar 2025 | Accepted: 30 Apr 2025 | Published: 13 May 2025

Abstract

With the rapid increase in energy demand, the limited availability of fossil fuel resources and the desire to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, the importance of optimising PV installations is paramount. The objective and innovation of this paper is to examine the effect of a cooling system based on heat pipes on the performance of photovoltaic panels for a household in the hot climate of Kuwait for which the considered system has not been tested before. Experimental and simulation results show both the amount of heat and electrical power generated from the solar panels in two configurations with and without cooling, considering different seasonal cycles. The angles of the panels were located at their optimum position indicating an active tracking system. Numerical model of the system was developed in TRNSYS and validated based on the measurement data. Simulation results showed that the cooling effect of the panels significantly increases the electrical output by almost 6.25%. In addition, a reduction in solar cell temperature of around 8% was observed in the Kuwait climate. The proposed model supports the decision of implementing a PV/T system in hot climate areas where the effect of cooling will result in higher efficiencies for generating electricity.

References 

  • 1.
    Covert, T.; Greenstone, M.; Knittel, C.R. Will we ever stop using fossil fuels? Econ. Perspect. 2016, 30, 117–138. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.30.1.117.
  • 2.
    S. EPA. Part One—The Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Quantifying Mult. Benefits Energy Effic. Renew. Energy A Guid. State Local Gov. 2018, 2018, 1–17.
  • 3.
    Hee, W.J.; Alghoul, M.A.; Bakhtyar, B.; et al. The role of window glazing on daylighting and energy saving in buildings. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2015, 42, 323–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.09.020.
  • 4.
    Obaideen, K.; AlMallahi, M.N.; Alami, A.H.; et al. On the contribution of solar energy to sustainable developments goals: Case study on Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. J. Thermofluids 2021, 12, 100123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2021.100123.
  • 5.
    Maka, A.O.M.; Alabid, J.M. Solar energy technology and its roles in sustainable development. Clean Energy 2022, 6, 476–483. https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkac023.
  • 6.
    Rabaia MK, H.; Abdelkareem, M.A.; Sayed, E.T.; et al. Environmental impacts of solar energy systems: A review. Total Environ. 2021, 754, 141989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141989.
  • 7.
    International Energy Agency. Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2023 Task 1 Strategic PV Analysis and Outreach; International Energy Agency: Paris, France, 2023.
  • 8.
    International Energy Agency. Renewables 2023 Executive Summary. 2023. Available online: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023/executive-summary (accessed on 5 May 2024).
  • 9.
    Kargaran, M.; Goshayeshi, H.R.; Pourpasha, H.; et al. An extensive review on the latest developments of using oscillating heat pipe on cooling of photovoltaic thermal system. Sci. Eng. Prog. 2022, 36, 101489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2022.101489.
  • 10.
    Hassaan, M.A.; Hassan, A.; Al-Dashti, H. GIS-based suitability analysis for siting solar power plants in Kuwait. J. Remote Sens. Sp. Sci.2021, 24, 453–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2020.11.004.
  • 11.
    Salameh, T.; Zhang, D.; Juaidi, A.; et al. Review of solar photovoltaic cooling systems technologies with environmental and economical assessment. Clean. Prod.2021, 326, 129421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129421.
  • 12.
    Singh, B.P.; Goyal, S.K.; Kumar, P. Solar PV cell materials and technologies: Analyzing the recent developments. Today Proc.2021, 43, 2843–2849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.01.003.
  • 13.
    Fazal, M.A.; Rubaiee, S. Progress of PV cell technology: Feasibility of building materials, cost, performance, and stability. Energy 2023, 258, 203–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.04.066.
  • 14.
    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart. 2024. Available online: https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency.html (accessed on 5 May 2024).
  • 15.
    Tahir, Z.R.; Kanwal, A.; Asim, M.; et al. Effect of Temperature and Wind Speed on Efficiency of Five Photovoltaic Module Technologies for Different Climatic Zones. Sustainability 2022, 14, 15810. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315810.
  • 16.
    Alshawaf, M.; Poudineh, R.; Alhajeri, N.S. Solar PV in Kuwait: The effect of ambient temperature and sandstorms on output variability and uncertainty. Sustain. Energy Rev. 2020, 134, 110346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110346.
  • 17.
    Szostok, A.; Stanek, W. Thermo-ecological analysis–The comparison of collector and PV to PV/T system. Energy 2022, 200, 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.070.
  • 18.
    Al-Enezi, F.Q.; Sykulski, J.K.; Ahmed, N.A. Visibility and potential of solar energy on horizontal surface at Kuwait area. Energy Procedia2011, 12, 862–872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2011.10.114.
  • 19.
    Bunyan, H.; Ali, W. Investigating of Proper Photovoltaic Panel Tilt Angle to Be Used As Shading Device in Kuwait. J. Eng. Res. Appl. 2015, 5, 1–8.
  • 20.
    Ghoneim, A. Performance Analysis of Combined Photovoltaic-Thermal Collector in Kuwait Climate. In Proceedings of the Global Conference on Global Warming, Poznan, Poland, 1–12 December 2008.
  • 21.
    Ramadhan, M.; Naseeb, A. The cost benefit analysis of implementing photovoltaic solar system in the state of Kuwait. Energy 2011, 36, 1272–1276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2010.10.004.
  • 22.
    Zhou, J.; Zhong, W.; Wu, D.; et al. A Review on the Heat Pipe Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) System. Therm. Sci. 2021, 30, 1469–1490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-021-1434-3.
  • 23.
    Osma-Pinto, G.; Ordóñez-Plata, G. Dynamic thermal modelling for the prediction of the operating temperature of a PV panel with an integrated cooling system. Energy 2020, 152, 1041–1054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.01.132.
  • 24.
    Abdo, S.; Saidani-Scott, H.; Abdelrahman, M.A. Numerical study with eco-exergy analysis and sustainability assessment for a stand-alone nanofluid PV/T. Sci. Eng. Prog. 2021, 24, 100931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2021.100931.
  • 25.
    Abdallah, S.R.; Elsemary, I.M.M.; Altohamy, A.A.; et al. Experimental investigation on the effect of using nano fluid (Al2O3-Water) on the performance of PV/T system. Sci. Eng. Prog.2018, 7, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2018.04.016.
  • 26.
    Togun, H.; Basem, A.; Kadhum, A.A.H.; et al. Advancing photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) systems: Innovative cooling technique, thermal management, and future prospects. Energy 2025, 291, 113402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.113402.
  • 27.
    Vassiliades, C.; Barone, G.; Buonomano, A.; et al. Assessment of an innovative plug and play PV/T system integrated in a prefabricated house unit: Active and passive behaviour and life cycle cost analysis. Energy 2022, 186, 845–863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.12.140.
  • 28.
    Gang, P.; Huide, F.; Tao, Z.; et al. A numerical and experimental study on a heat pipe PV/T system. Energy 2011, 85, 911–921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2011.02.006.
  • 29.
    Zhu, X.; Yu, M.; Zhou, L.; et al. Performance investigation and parametric analysis of a novel flat copper tube loop-heat-pipe PV/T system. Build. Eng. 2025, 100, 111820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.111820.
  • 30.
    Ahmed, B.O.; Ibrahim, A.; Azeez, H.L.; et al. Energy and exergy analysis of a newly designed photovoltaic thermal system featuring ribs, petal array, and coiled twisted tapes: Experimental analysis. Case Stud. Therm. Eng. 2024, 63, 105388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.105388.
  • 31.
    Moradgholi, M.; Nowee, S.M.; Abrishamchi, I. Application of heat pipe in an experimental investigation on a novel photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. Energy 2014, 107, 82–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2014.05.018.
  • 32.
    Khordehgah, N.; Żabnieńska-Góra, A.; Jouhara, H. Analytical modelling of a photovoltaics-thermal technology combined with thermal and electrical storage systems. Energy 2021, 165, 350–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.058.
  • 33.
    Laubscher, R.; Dobson, R.T. Theoretical and experimental modelling of a heat pipe heat exchanger for high temperature nuclear reactor technology. Therm. Eng. 2013, 61, 259–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2013.06.063.
  • 34.
    Jouhara, H.; Milko, J.; Danielewicz, J.; et al. The performance of a novel flat heat pipe based thermal and PV/T (photovoltaic and thermal systems) solar collector that can be used as an energy-active building envelope material. Energy 2016, 108, 148–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.07.063.
  • 35.
    Bailey, E. Advantages and Disadvantages of Polycrystalline Solar Panels: A Comprehensive Guide. SolVoltaics. 2023. Available online: https://solvoltaics.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-polycrystalline-solar-panels/#:~:text=Polycrystalline (accessed on 3 May 2024).
  • 36.
    Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER). Data Access Viewer. 2022. Available online: https://data.nasa.gov/Earth-Science/Prediction-Of-Worldwide-Energy-Resources-POWER-/wn3p-qsan (accessed on 30 August 2024).
  • 37.
    Beale, A. Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator. 2022. Available online: https://footprinthero.com/solar-panel-tilt-angle-calculator (accessed on 30 August 2022).
  • 38.
    RS PRO. Datasheet; RS Pro 20W Polycrystalline Flexible solar panel; RS Stock No: 914-8457.Available Online: https://docs.rs-online.com/158f/0900766b81587500.pdf (accessed on 30 August 2022).
  • 39.
    ULTRA MAX. Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable Battery Product Specification: SLAUMXNP 18-12 (12V18AH). The Battery Masters. 2018. Available online: https://batterymasters.co.uk/pub/media/catalog/product/pdf/s/l/slaumxnp18-12-tech_2.pdf (accessed on 26 August 2022).
  • 40.
    Chauvin Arnoux Group.Optimize Your Energy Efficiency with the PEL100 For Economical, Sustainable Buildings, Improve Your Energy Efficiency. Available Online: https://pjwmeters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PELOG-103-Guide.pdf (accessed on 23 October 2024).
  • 41.
    RS PRO.Instruction Manual; ISM 400; Solar Power Meter. Available Online: https://docs.rs-online.com/178d/A700000009677517.pdf (accessed on 30 August 2022).
  • 42.
    Brass Water Turbines. Available online: https://www.omega.co.uk/pptst/FTB370_SERIES.html#manuals (accessed on 27 August 2022).
  • 43.
    6-Digit Rate Meter/Totalizer. Available online: https://www.omega.co.uk/pptst/DPF701.html (accessed on 27 August 2022).
  • 44.
    Thermal Energy System Specialists.TRNSYS, Transient System Simulation Tool. Available Online: https://www.trnsys.com/ (accessed on 12 October 2024).
  • 45.
    Khordehgah, N.; Guichet, V.; Lester, S.P.; et al. Computational study and experimental validation of a solar photovoltaics and thermal technology. Energy 2019, 143, 1348–1356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.05.108.
Share this article:
Download PDF
DOI
10.53941/rset.2025.100003
Issue
Volume 1, Issue 1
How to Cite
Alajmi, A.; Żabnieńska-Góra, A.; Jouhara, H. Heat Pipe PV/T System under Hot Climate Conditions-Experimental and Simulation Analysis of System Performance. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology 2025, 1 (1), 3. https://doi.org/10.53941/rset.2025.100003.
RIS
BibTex
Copyright & License
article copyright Image
Copyright (c) 2025 by the authors.