Experiments have been carried out on a polycrystalline PV panel to study the effect of cooling of panel surface at the bottom and the amount of electricity produced subsequently. It is observed that the temperature at the top surface of the cell has marginally reduced by circulation of air at the bottom. This is due to the absorption of heat by air leading to natural cooling. It is also observed that the voltage of electricity produced in PV panel has increased appreciably due to cooling. However, the voltage has reduced drastically in the absence of cooling of the bottom surface of the panel. This is attributed to accumulation of heat at the top surface of the cell, which leads to increase in temperature and reduction in voltage. It is observed further that the drop in temperature of the top surface from 65°C to 43.5°C due to cooling has resulted into an increase in voltage by about 6% in comparison with that without cooling.

cell surface temperature, PV panel, internal heat.