Determination of the effect of module surface temperature on the efficiency of photovoltaic module in Hatay climate conditions

The depletion of natural resources and the deterioration of the ecological balance due to environmental pollution, the high cost of energy production, forces us to be sensitive about generating energy from different and clean sources. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are systems that convert solar energy into electrical energy. The electrical efficiency of the PV cell is adversely affected by the increase in temperature of the cell. The most affected parameter due to the increase in temperature in PV modules is the open circuit voltage. Increasing the temperature, increases the short circuit current of PV cells while reducing the open circuit voltage. Raising the temperature, increases the resistance by lowering the speed of the electrons in the circuit. In addition, the temperature reduces the effective efficiency life of cells with an effect that increases the thermal decay of PV cell material. Therefore, lowering the operating temperature during solar radiation absorption increases the efficiency, power capacity and life of the system. There are various methods of reducing PV module surface temperatures. One of these methods is the cooling of the surface of the module with water. In this study, the change in module efficiency caused by decreasing module surface temperature by using water as the refrigerant fluid in PV/T (Photovoltaic/Thermal) module (hybrid module) in Hatay climatic conditions was determined. By cooling the modül surface, electricity generation efficiency has increased by up to 52.6%. In Hatay climatic conditions, it may be recommended that the surface temperature should not rise allowed to above 55 oC in order for PV modules to operate at high efficiency.