Development of passive cooling with perforated plates and real-time monitoring for pv efficiency improvement

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.327590

Keywords:

passive cooling, perforated aluminum plate, real-time monitoring, solar energy efficiency, natural convection, thermal regulation

Abstract

This study focuses on enhancing photovoltaic (PV) module performance through the development of a passive cooling method using perforated aluminum plates, supported by a real-time monitoring system. The core problem addressed is the thermal inefficiency of PV modules operating in hot, humid environments, where heat accumulation lowers energy output. A real-time data acquisition system was developed using Arduino to monitor voltage, current, surface temperature, humidity, and solar irradiance. Four identical polycrystalline PV modules were tested; three were equipped with aluminum plates of varying perforation diameters (10 mm, 12.5 mm, 15 mm), while one remained uncooled as a control. The results showed that the module with 15 mm perforations had the best performance, achieving a 61.04 W output under peak irradiance (1404 W/m2) and reducing surface temperature by nearly 10°C. These outcomes demonstrate that enhanced natural convection and evaporative effects, enabled by the larger perforations, significantly improved thermal regulation. The synchronized monitoring system validated the temperature-power relationship by capturing environmental dynamics in real time. Due to its energy independence, low cost, and simplicity, this integrated solution is particularly applicable in tropical regions or off-grid installations. The findings establish a practical basis for scalable deployment of passive cooling in PV systems, especially where active cooling is unfeasible

Author Biographies

Armin Sofijan, Sriwijaya University

Doctor of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Riman Sipahutar, Sriwijaya University

Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Wirawan Adi Pradana, Sriwijaya University

Master of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Baginda Oloan Siregar, Sriwijaya University

Master of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Irwin Bizzy, Sriwijaya University

Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Siti Sailah, Sriwijaya University

Doctor of Physics Science

Department of Physics Science

Feby Ardianto, Muhammadiyah Palembang University

Doctor Candidate of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Surya Darma, Palembang University

Doctor Candidate of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Ananda Putri Kamila, Sriwijaya University

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

Vina Alya Dhafia, Sriwijaya University

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering

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Development of passive cooling with perforated plates and real-time monitoring for pv efficiency improvement

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Published

2025-06-25

How to Cite

Sofijan, A., Sipahutar, R., Pradana, W. A., Siregar, B. O., Bizzy, I., Sailah, S., Ardianto, F., Darma, S., Kamila, A. P., & Dhafia, V. A. (2025). Development of passive cooling with perforated plates and real-time monitoring for pv efficiency improvement. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 3(5 (135), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.327590

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Section

Applied physics