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Solar energy industry

Nanofluids Boost Solar Photovoltaic Thermal System Performance

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Tenaga Nas in Selangor, Malaysia, have discovered that hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) dispersed in distilled water can significantly enhance the performance of indoor solar photovoltaic thermal systems. The study aimed to improve electrical efficiency, thermal efficiency, and exergy performance while reducing entropy generation. The researchers found that a 0.5% volume concentration of hBN-water nanofluids improved thermal conductivity and demonstrated excellent dispersion stability, leading to increased electrical power output and reduced panel temperatures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a 0.5% volume concentration of hBN-water nanofluids to improve thermal conductivity and dispersion stability in indoor solar photovoltaic thermal systems.
  • The nanofluid system demonstrated a significant reduction in panel temperatures, from 63°C to 39°C at 380 W/m², leading to increased electrical power output from 12.03 W to 21.17 W.
  • Electrical efficiency decreased with higher solar radiation, while thermal efficiency increased, with heat gain reaching 255 W at 780 W/m² compared to 225 W for water cooling.
  • Exergy efficiency was enhanced, reaching 8.7% for the nanofluid system, compared to 5.8% for water cooling and 5.3% for no cooling.
  • The study concluded that hBN-water nanofluids can improve the performance and sustainability of PVT systems.

Statistics:

  • 0.5% volume concentration of hBN-water nanofluids was used to improve thermal conductivity and dispersion stability.
  • Reduction in panel temperatures: 63°C to 39°C at 380 W/m².
  • Increase in electrical power output: from 12.03 W to 21.17 W.
  • Heat gain with nanofluid system at 780 W/m²: 255 W, compared to 225 W for water cooling.
  • Exergy efficiency with nanofluid system: 8.7%, compared to 5.8% for water cooling and 5.3% for no cooling.
  • Exergy loss reduction with nanofluid system: approximately 2.9% at 380 W/m².
  • Entropy generation reduction with nanofluid system: 2.8%.

Sources:

  • Research was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia through the HICoE grant, Dato' Low Tuck Kwong International, AAIBE Chair of Renewable Energy, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and UNITEN through the BOLD Refresh Publication Fund.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in Renewable Energy, 2025;252.
  • Contact information for the researchers: A. G. N. Sofiah, University of Tenaga Nas, Energy Univ, Institute of Sustainable Energy, Jalan Ikram Uniten, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Additional authors: Reji Kumar Rajamony, J. Pasupuleti, M. Samykano, A. K. Pandey, and Nur Fatin Sulaiman.
  • News report citation: NewsRx. New Nanofluids Data Have Been Reported by Investigators at University of Tenaga Nas [Cutting-edge Heat Transfer: How Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanofluids Boost Solar Photovoltaic Thermal (Pvt) System Performance?]. Electronics Newsweekly. October 21, 2025; p 2433.

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