Researchers from College of Mechanical Engineering Develop Advanced System to Improve Solar Panel Efficiency

In a significant scientific achievement added to the record of research accomplishments at the University of Technology, a research team from the College of Mechanical Engineering has developed an integrated system to enhance the performance of solar panels. The results of the study were published in the journal Energy Conversion and Management: X, classified within the first quartile (Q1) in the Clarivate database and published by the global publishing house Elsevier.

The title of the publication is: “Experimental investigation of graphene-based nanofluid enhanced photovoltaic/thermal system: Energy and exergy analysis”

The study was prepared by Prof. Dr. Sattar Jaber Habib and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Nabi Imran, along with a number of collaborating researchers from inside and outside Iraq.

The study addressed one of the most significant challenges facing solar energy systems, which is the rise in temperature of photovoltaic (PV) units during operation, leading to a decrease in their efficiency.

It aimed to design, manufacture, and evaluate a PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) system equipped with a serpentine channel with fins, using water enhanced with graphene nanoparticles at different concentrations.

The results, through energy and exergy analysis, showed a clear improvement in both thermal and photovoltaic performance efficiency, especially with higher graphene concentrations. This confirms the effectiveness of these nanofluids in supporting and efficiently cooling solar energy systems.

This research represents evidence of the competence of Iraqi researchers and their ability to actively contribute to advanced global research. It also reflects the College of Mechanical Engineering’s commitment to supporting applied research and publishing it in reputable journals with a distinguished international classification.