Modeling, experimental investigation and real-time control of active water cooling system for photovoltaic module

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are integral in harnessing solar energy, yet their performance is hindered by excessive heat generation, impacting efficiency and sustainability. Addressing the challenge of efficiency loss in photovoltaic (PV) cells due to overheating, this study focuses on optimizing active water cooling control for PV modules. The aim is to develop a dynamic, sustainable model and integrate a PID controller tuned by Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA), targeting optimal operating temperatures. This study introduces a dynamic model and a closed-loop control system to manage PV cell temperature, investigating the correlation between water flow and temperature regulation. Experimental data is gathered using a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) as an excitation signal, forming the foundation of an Auto Regressive eXogenous (ARX) model. The closed-loop system incorporates a PID controller and tuned using the Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA) to optimize performance. The resulting model is rigorously validated through experimental investigation, demonstrating its precision in capturing the system’s dynamics. Moreover, the implementation of a controller-based cooling system substantiates the model’s practical efficacy. The research demonstrates significant improvements when implementing a controller-based water-cooling system for photovoltaic (PV) modules. Compared to the baseline scenario without cooling, the system achieves a 34.5% reduction in average PV temperature (from 59.2°C to 38.9°C) and a 9.46% increase in average power output (from 196.7W to 215.3W). Moreover, this system utilizes only 248.8 liters of water, marking a substantial 64% decrease in water consumption compared to traditional free-flow cooling methods, which use 790.9 liters. The research demonstrates that the controller-based cooling approach is a sustainable option, delivering power output comparable to the free-flow method, yet significantly lowering water consumption. This research signifies a turning point for sustainability, offering an efficient and water-conscious approach for enhancing PV system performance, a crucial step toward a greener and more environmentally responsible energy future.