Simulation of thermal storage system involving solar panel equipped with thermoelectric modules in existence of mixture of paraffin and nanomaterial

Efficiently harnessing solar energy and optimizing photovoltaic panel performance is essential for addressing the energy challenge. This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates cooling fluids and Phase Change Materials (PCM) enhanced with nanoparticles such as ZnO, SiC, Al2O3, and Cu at a volume fraction of 0.03 to improve electrical output. Key components of this advanced cooling design are nanofluids and Nano-Enhanced PCM (NEPCMs). The research begins by selecting and evaluating three distinct NEPCMs to establish a comprehensive ranking. It then investigates the potential for increased electrical efficiency by integrating a thermoelectric module to boost panel output power. The study tests how fluid velocity impacts cooling efficiency, revealing the complex interplay between fluid dynamics and cooling performance. This integrated system successfully reduces panel temperatures from 359.51 K to 321.91 K, leading to a 15.01 % increase in overall electrical efficiency over a six-hour period, generating 0.42 kW-hours (kWh) of power during daylight hours. The inclusion of porous materials, particularly aluminum foam in the PCM region for both finned and finless designs, significantly enhances heat transfer. The findings indicated the significant improvement in electrical performance (13.92 %) for finned configurations. Additionally, the calculated Carbon Credits Earn (CCE) value enhances system profitability to $313,439.778. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd