Enhancing solar PV panel performance through active and passive cooling techniques: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Global energy demand has been on the rise due to the increasing population and industrialization. Due to fossil fuels’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the world is undergoing a rapid transition to cleaner energy sources such as solar energy. The energy of the sun is predominantly converted into electrical energy using photovoltaics. However, elevated operating temperature is significantly affecting the PV conversion efficiency. To overcome this challenge, various PV cooling techniques have been developed, encompassing both passive methods and active methods. This work aims to compile a comprehensive review of these cooling techniques, focused on evaluating their effectiveness in PV temperature reduction and enhancement in PV efficiency. Key findings highlight the effectiveness of passive and active cooling methods in achieving an average PV temperature reduction of 15°C. Active air cooling achieved a maximum temperature reduction of 38°C in concentrated PV, while active liquid cooling achieved a maximum temperature reduction of 29°C in non-concentrated PV. Liquid immersion cooling yielded the highest electrical efficiency improvement of 16 %. The identified preference for CPV applications lies in passive heat pipe cooling, active air, and water cooling. Notably, in hot, dry climates, evaporative cooling outperforms air cooling, providing crucial insights for region-specific technology optimization. Liquid immersion emerges as the most suitable technique for hotspot reduction. This review aligns with UN SDG 7 by investigating cooling techniques to enhance solar PV panel efficiency and promote the widespread adoption of clean energy and by exploring strategies to optimize solar PV panel performance.