Effect of using saturated hydrogel beads with alumina water-based nanofluid for cooling solar panels: Experimental study with economic analysis

This research is a novel experimental work on cooling solar panels using hydrogel beads saturated with Al2O3 water based nanofluid. Nanofluid of concentrations 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% wt. were used compared to the only cooled uncooled PV panels. A passive system was created three layers nanofluid hydrogels attached back surface exposed panels, fixed radiation intensities 800 1000 W/m2. Using 0.5%wt. hydrogels, temperature panel reduced by approximately 17.9 °C 17.1 for W/m2 respectively, one. From performance point view, gave optimum performance; however, due price nano materials, 0.25% concentration economical selection. The economic analysis showed that payback period, concentration, 12 years annual power generated improvement 10.1% at both tested panel. environmental proposed optimised can reduce CO2 emission 7.95 tonnes 9.76 farm 100 square meter area