Modelling and experimental analysis of three radioconvective panels for night cooling

• Modelling of radioconvective systems based on existing models for solar collectors.
• Influence of the surrounding conditions on the radioconvective panel performance.
• Experimental verification of the theoretical model.
• Correlation of cloudy-skies with performance of the radioconvective panels.
• Performance assessment of the cooling power of the radioconvective panels.

The use of heat dissipation on buildings by means of night radiative and convective processes is an effective technical approach to meet user comfort requirements while reducing the conventional energy consumption employed in refrigeration processes. The paper describes the design and development of three different night cooling systems being installed in the Solar Platform of Almeria for experimental purpose. The three systems used low cost, easy to install panels resulting in significant reduction of the cooling load. A model of the radioconvective systems was developed taking into account the main physical and mechanical phenomena occurring in the process. The model allowed evaluating the performance of the system, and it was further compared with the experimental test results to analyze its validity.