article · Energies
Photovoltaic panels lose operational efficiency and produce less power when prolonged solar exposure increases panel temperatures and changes semiconductor properties. To address this issue, cooling technologies offer a way to preserve panel performance while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A comparative evaluation of recent studies assesses multiple cooling techniques, including water-based, air-based, phase-change materials, and novel configurations, taking into account both environmental impact and economic factors. Among the examined options, thermoelectric cooling proves particularly effective, demonstrating notable gains in energy efficiency alongside favourable environmental and economic outcomes. However, further research across varying seasons and over longer operating timeframes remains necessary to fully evaluate cooling performance.
Solar panels naturally overheat under direct sunlight, which reduces their electricity output and undermines renewable energy generation. By identifying cooling solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally sound, energy producers can maximise clean power generation from existing installations. Thermoelectric cooling in particular offers a balanced approach that protects electrical efficiency without excessive financial or ecological burdens.
These findings are relevant to solar energy operators and photovoltaic manufacturers seeking to integrate active thermal management into solar arrays. Because the findings derive from a comparative literature review of existing studies rather than a freshly validated device, the thermoelectric cooling approaches remain in early-stage research to applied testing. Commercial deployment will require extensive multi-year operational field trials to confirm economic viability across shifting seasonal conditions.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Photovoltaic panels play a pivotal role in the renewable energy sector, serving as a crucial component for generating environmentally friendly electricity from sunlight. However, a persistent challenge lies in the adverse effects of rising temperatures resulting from prolonged exposure to solar radiation. Consequently, this elevated temperature hinders the efficiency of photovoltaic panels and reduces power production, primarily due to changes in semiconductor properties within the solar cells. Given the depletion of limited fossil fuel resources and the urgent need to reduce carbon gas emissions, scientists and researchers are actively exploring innovative strategies to enhance photovoltaic panel efficiency through advanced cooling methods. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of various cooling technologies employed to enhance the performance of PV panels, encompassing water-based, air-based, and phase-change materials, alongside novel cooling approaches. This study collects and assesses data from recent studies on cooling the PV panel, considering both environmental and economic factors, illustrating the importance of cooling methods on photovoltaic panel efficiency. Among the investigated cooling methods, the thermoelectric cooling method emerges as a promising solution, demonstrating noteworthy improvements in energy efficiency and a positive environmental footprint while maintaining economic viability. As future work, studies should be made at the level of different periods of time throughout the years and for longer periods. This research contributes to the ongoing effort to identify effective cooling strategies, ultimately advancing electricity generation from photovoltaic panels and promoting the adoption of sustainable energy systems.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/en17030713
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
