Review of Cooling Techniques for Improving Solar Photovoltaic Panel Efficiency

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, aims to meet global energy needs while addressing environmental concerns. However, the efficiency of PV cells decreases drastically with increasing temperatures. This paper discusses different cooling methods to lessen the effects of temperature on the effectiveness of solar cells. It provides an overview of passive cooling strategies, including radiative cooling, natural convection, phase change materials, and reflective coatings, alongside active approaches such as water cooling, air cooling, and thermoelectric cooling. The integration of these techniques and their impact on solar panel efficiency are discussed, highlighting their potential to enhance performance. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and limitations of existing cooling techniques and underlines future research directions utilizing newly developed materials and computationally advanced models. Policy considerations are also addressed to encourage the adoption of efficient cooling methods. This review aims to enhance solar PV systems' overall efficiency and reliability, moving a step towards a clean energy future.