M. Habiballahi - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
M. Ameri - Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Center, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
S. H. Mansouri

Efficiency of photovoltaic water pumping systems (PVPS) decreases remarkably as photovoltaic cells temperature rises; thus, to improve the performance and efficiency of such systems, photovoltaic cells temperature should be kept as low as possible. In this research, a PVPS with collectors installed beneath the panels was used to cool down the photovoltaic (PV) cells. Pumped water by the solar pump is divided into two parts; the first part joins the second one after passing through the collectors installed beneath the panels and flows to the outlet. The part passing through the collectors cools down the PV panels and therefore increases the efficiency of PVPS. Effect of flow of water through these collectors on PV cells, output power, and efficiencies of PVPS were analyzed. Water used to cool down the panel was supplied by the pump & after passing the collector flowed toward the consumption; thus, no extra power was consumed to decrease PV cells temperature

Photovoltaic water pump, Solar energy, PV cells cooling, Efficiency