Open Access

ARTICLE

Impact of Different Rooftop Coverings on Photovoltaic Panel Temperature

Aws Al-Akam^1,*, Ahmed A. Abduljabbar², Ali Jaber Abdulhamed¹

1 Faculty of Engineering/AL-Mussayib, University of Babylon, Babylon, 51001, Iraq
2 Construction and Projects Department, Al Iraqia University, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq

* Corresponding Author: Aws Al-Akam. Email:

Energy Engineering 2024, 121(12), 3761-3777. https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2024.055198

Received 20 June 2024; Accepted 14 October 2024; Issue published 22 November 2024

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are essential to the global transition towards sustainable energy, offering a clean, renewable source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and mitigates climate change. High temperatures can significantly affect the performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels by reducing their efficiency and power output. This paper explores the consequential effect of various rooftop coverings on the thermal performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels. It investigates the relationship between the type of rooftop covering materials and the efficiency of PV panels, considering the thermal performance and its implications for enhancing their overall performance and sustainability. The study compares four rooftop covering materials: wooden flakes packs (both dry and wet), polystyrene, and woolen insulation. The measurements were implemented under Iraqi weather conditions. The comparison was based on the PV panels’ thermal behavior and its impact on conversion efficiency. The results revealed that covering the roof beneath the installed PV panels reduces their temperature and increases efficiency. The best performance was observed when placing wet wooden flakes beneath the panels, with an efficiency increase of 5%. Moreover, the woolen insulation offered an efficiency rise of 12% near sunset. The main outcome of this work is that the wet–wooden–flakes showed the best performance improvement of the PV panels.

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Keywords

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