ST687: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC- THERMAL (PV-T) COOLING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SOLAR PANEL

MUHAMAD IZAAN BIN AZMAN Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kampus Shah Alam, Selangor

Malaysia’s high heat and strong sunlight cause solar PV panels to overheat, reducing efficiency and lifespan, while existing cooling systems are often costly and complex for small-scale use. This project proposes a simple PV-T water-cooling system to address this issue. The objectives are to develop a cooling prototype, analyze its impact on panel temperature, and compare cooled and uncooled performance. Using passive and active water cooling with real-time monitoring via an ESP32 system, experiments were conducted outdoors. Results show that cooling significantly reduces panel temperature, improves energy output, and enhances stability, confirming that effective temperature control is essential for optimal solar panel performance in tropical climates.