Numerical Prediction of PV Cell Temperature and Its Impact on Module Performance in Benghazi-Case Study

The temperature of photovoltaic (PV) cells plays a crucial role in determining the overall module performance, as it directly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of PV systems. The present study explores the influence of climatic conditions on the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems, with a particular focus on the city of Benghazi, Libya. A numerical model, based on the principles of energy balance, was developed to forecast the PV cell efficiency under varying environmental parameters. Through meticulous modelling and examination, the performance of the photovoltaic system was thoroughly investigated. The numerical proposed model is validated with the published results where the comparison showed good agreement between the present and published results with a maximum deviation of 2.56 %. The findings revealed a significant correlation between PV cell efficiency and the temperature of the solar panel. As solar radiation levels increased to 1017
$\mathrm{W} /\mathrm{m}^{2}$
, the temperature of the PV panel soared up to 71.1°C, surpassing the ambient air temperature by 34.7°C. Such elevated temperatures were identified as a primary factor contributing to the deterioration of cell efficiency.