Photovoltaic Panel Cooling: A Review of Methodologies and Technologies

Abstract

Energy production using photovoltaic panels seems to be the next promising technology. The only main problem is that the panel’s efficiency has a negative relationship with its surface temperature. Moreover, the efficiency drops by 0.5% for each one-degree rising in temperature. In recent years, many attempts have been done to cool the PV panel surface temperature. Different technologies have also been proposed to achieve that purpose .mainly, most of the suggested cooling systems based on the water or air as a working fluid, and the conversion ratio could be enhanced by 22% and 13% when using water and air cooling. Others use Nano-particles to enhance that process, as well as the PCM was also investigated. All these technologies can increase panel efficiency by 3-5%. In this paper, different types of cooling technology are analyzed and categorized