Quantifying Thermal Losses in Photovoltaic Modules for Enhanced Renewable Energy Harvesting

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Baghdad have conducted a study to quantify the recoverable thermal energy from multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules under varying irradiance conditions for arid climates. The study findings demonstrate that thermal losses increase from 10.33% to 19.02% with rising irradiance, while recoverable thermal energy fraction ranges from 29.72% to 35.06%. The results provide fundamental data for hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system development optimized for high-irradiance arid conditions, supporting renewable energy advancement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to quantify recoverable thermal energy from multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules under varying irradiance conditions for arid climates.
  • Experimental measurements were conducted over six months in Baghdad, Iraq, with data filtered to maintain a 25°C module temperature across four irradiance levels (250, 500, 750, 1000 W/m²).
  • Results show thermal losses increasing from 10.33% to 19.02% with rising irradiance, while recoverable thermal energy fraction ranges from 29.72% to 35.06%.
  • Module efficiency decreased from 18.1% at 500 W/m² to 16.7% at 1000 W/m², reflecting thermal loss dominance over optical gains.
  • Spectral analysis revealed uniform distribution of recoverable thermal energy across the solar spectrum rather than infrared concentration.
  • The study provides fundamental data for hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system development optimized for high-irradiance arid conditions.
  • The research was conducted by Hassanein Saady Hussein, Department of Energy, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, in collaboration with Adawiya Ali Hamzah.
  • The study has implications for the improvement of photovoltaic modules and the development of renewable energy systems.

Statistics:

  • Thermal losses increased from 10.33% to 19.02% with rising irradiance.
  • Recoverable thermal energy fraction ranged from 29.72% to 35.06%.
  • Module efficiency decreased from 18.1% at 500 W/m² to 16.7% at 1000 W/m².
  • Experimental measurements were conducted over a period of six months.
  • Data were collected under four irradiance levels: 250, 500, 750, and 1000 W/m².

Sources:

  • Study of Heat Generation and Power Losses in MultiCrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Module. Journal of Engineering, 2025, 31(10).
  • Journal of Engineering, University of Baghdad, http://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/index
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.31026/j.eng.2025.10.04
  • NewsRx. Reports from University of Baghdad Add New Data to Research in Engineering (Study of Heat Generation and Power Losses in MultiCrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Module). Journal of Engineering. October 20, 2025; p 2872.