Investigating the effect of cooling tower height on PVT system efficiency with a four-inlet air cooling: energy and exergy analysis.

High operating temperatures reduce photovoltaic (PV) panel efficiency and longevity, yet few studies explore multi-inlet cooling towers for rooftop PV systems. This study investigates the impact of cooling tower height on PV efficiency using a novel four-inlet air cooling system to optimize airflow and heat dissipation. Numerical analyses assessed 1, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 cm tower heights, evaluating temperature reduction, electrical output, and energy efficiency. Results show taller towers enhance cooling, with thermal efficiency rising from 25 % to 55 %, electrical efficiency increasing from 8 % to 14 %, and exergy efficiency improving from 3 % to 6 % at 100 cm. These findings highlight cooling tower height as a critical design parameter for optimizing air-cooled PV systems and advancing sustainable solar solutions.