Experimental investigation of synthetic jet–based active cooling for photovoltaic modules: Thermal management, acoustic characterization, and field validation
Applied Thermal Engineering, cilt.302, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 302
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2026.132025
- Dergi Adı: Applied Thermal Engineering
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, DIALNET, Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Acoustic characterization, Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), Photovoltaic cooling, Synthetic jet actuator, Techno-economic analysis, Thermal management
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The electrical efficiency and long-term performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules are adversely affected by heat accumulation within solar cells. Synthetic jet (SJ) actuators have emerged as a promising active cooling technology for PV systems due to their low power consumption and operation without an external fluid supply. However, the influence of nozzle geometry and outdoor performance of synthetic jet cooling on PV modules remain insufficiently investigated. In this study, 57-orifice synthetic jet actuators with nozzle geometries of 3, 5, and 7 mm were experimentally evaluated for PV thermal management. The effects of excitation amplitude, frequency, and orifice diameter on thermal and electrical performance were investigated under 1000 W/m2 solar irradiance. The optimal conditions were obtained at a 5 mm orifice diameter, 100 Hz frequency, and 3 V amplitude, resulting in a 16.5% reduction in average panel temperature and a 14.9% increase in maximum electrical power output. Outdoor experiments conducted in Erzurum demonstrated a reduction of up to 12 °C in surface temperature and a 7.5% increase in average electrical power output compared to the reference panel. Techno-economic analysis indicated a net annual energy gain of approximately 4.25%; however, the prototype-scale SJ system cost limited improvement in the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The obtained results are competitive with water-based active cooling systems, which typically achieve 6–22% power gains but require continuous water supply and maintenance. Overall, synthetic jet-based cooling provides a water-free, low-power, and scalable thermal management solution for photovoltaic systems under realistic operating conditions.