Enhancing solar panel efficiency through cooling techniques: A review

Abstract

This study focuses on investigating the impact of temperature on solar panels and explores various cooling techniques to enhance their efficiency. The electric power output and efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV) cells decrease as the temperature increases. The temperature reduction depends on the type of solar panels and their temperature coefficient, which typically falls within the range of -0.3% to -0.5% per degree °C. The objective of this study was to determine the most effective cooling technique for solar systems. This study analyzed and compared various cooling methods and revealed that when water cooling is applied on both sides of a solar panel, it is the most efficient method to increase the efficiency by approximately 14.1%. Furthermore, the water-cooling system achieved a temperature reduction of up to 20 °C. The advantage of water cooling supports the self-cleaning of the solar panels, which further enhances their efficiency. The ability of water to remove dust and debris from the panel surface helps maintain optimal performance over time. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the selection of the most suitable cooling technique for solar systems. Water cooling in solar panels offers substantial improvements in efficiency and temperature reduction.