Utilizing ACMV exhaust air for roof top solar PV panel cooling

• Main Author: Fung, Yuan Zhi
• Other Authors: Wan Man Pun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Alternative, renewable energy sources
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71656
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In the current paper, it seeks to investigate the cooling effects of cool exhaust air on the temperature of the roof top area. Cool air is produced during the operation of the air conditioning unit in the building. To justify why the cooling effect on the surrounding area can be useful, the report looks at equipment that are situated on the roof top area that can potentially benefit from having cooler ambient air temperature, specifically Photovoltaic panels (PV panels). PV panels typically have higher efficiencies in converting solar energy to electricity when operating in lower temperatures. By increasing the efficiencies of the PV panels, more renewable energy in the form of electricity could be generated, helping to save on electricity costs. This will increase the overall scoring of the entire building as part of the BCA Green Mark Initiative. This is because one of the components for the overall scoring comprise of the % replacement of building electricity generation by renewable energy. To test the cooling extent of the exhaust air, the experiment will test the temperature reduction experienced by different locations due to the presence of exhaust air from the chimney. The results are conclusive to suggest that the temperature experienced by the PV panels can indeed be lowered by the presence of cool exhaust air.