Experimental investigation, feasibility study and economic assessment of using nanofluid to improve solar panel efficiency - case study: Abadan city

The global transition toward sustainable energy has positioned photovoltaic (PV) technology as a cornerstone of renewable power. However, in regions with extreme thermal profiles like Abadan, Iran, excessive operating temperatures severely degrade PV efficiency. This study presents a detailed experimental investigation into a hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) system utilizing an aluminum cooling box integrated with a serpentine copper flow path. Three distinct working fluids—pure water, Ag/Water nanofluid (۴۰۰۰ ppm), and TiO۲/Water nanofluid (۴۰۰۰ ppm)—were evaluated across a spectrum of flow rates (۰.۴ to ۲.۵ L/min). Experimental results demonstrate that active cooling can reduce the panel's peak operating temperature from ۸۸.۵°C to ۴۲.۷°C, yielding a maximum electrical power enhancement of ۲۱.۳۴%. The experimental data revealed that the optimal thermal performance was achieved using Ag/Water nanofluid at ۲.۵ L/min, reducing the panel temperature by ۴۵.۸°C. Conversely, the minimum cooling effect was observed with pure water at ۰.۴ L/min. A key finding is the convergence of performance at high flow rates; while nanofluids excel in laminar regimes due to Brownian motion, turbulent mixing renders water equally effective at high velocities, with differences falling within the ±۳.۴۲% experimental uncertainty margin. Furthermore, an advanced ۱۵-year econometric model using Net Present Value (NPV) and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for a ۱ MW plant indicates that despite the ۳.۱% increase in energy yield provided by nanofluids, the high cost of nanoparticle synthesis renders water cooling the most economically viable solution, yielding an LCOE of $۰.۰۴۲/kWh and the highest NPV compared to the worst-case NPV ($۵.۲۱M) found with Ag-nanofluids

کلیدواژه ها:

PV/T Systems ، Nanofluid ، Ag/Water ، Econometrics ، Experimental Uncertainty ، LCOE