Combining active and passive cooling techniques for maximizing power generation and thermal utilization of photovoltaic panels

Dina H. El-Nagar, Mohamed Emam, A.A. El-Betar and Sameh A. Nada

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 250, issue C

Abstract: This study proposes and investigates the integration of active and passive cooling techniques for photovoltaic (PV) systems, aiming to maximize power output and enhance the thermal energy utilization of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules. The innovative aspect of this work is the incorporation of phase change material (PCM) cylindrical capsules as pin fins, affixed to the rear surface of building-integrated photovoltaic panels. These capsules are encased within a water-based cooling channel to improve thermal energy utilization. This novel system is referred to as BIPV/T-PCM. Unlike earlier BIPV/T-PCM systems, the proposed system is designed to enhance electricity generation, improve overall system efficiency, and increase the system's heat storage capacity throughout the day. Several experimental sets have been conducted on five modules: one serving as a reference module, which is a BIPV module without phase change material or cooling water; the second being a BIPV/T system with cooling water; and the remaining three modules being BIPV/T-PCM systems, each featuring distinct arrangements of PCM cylindrical capsules utilized as pin fins attached to the rear of the photovoltaic panels, all surrounded by cooling water channels. The three designs of the BIPV/T-PCM feature varying ratios of the volume of PCM capsules to the volume of the cooling water channels, specifically 20 %, 30 %, and 40 %. These designs are designated as BIPV/T20, BIPV/T30, and BIPV/T40, respectively. The experimental findings demonstrate that the BIPV/T20, BIPV/T30, and BIPV/T40 modules significantly enhance daily power output by 39.5 %, 59.8 %, and 85.1 %, respectively. Correspondingly, the daily average improvements in electrical conversion efficiency are recorded at 39.49 %, 60.12 %, and 85.5 %. Notably, the BIPV/T40 module stands out by achieving the maximum temperature reduction of 29.6 °C (37.4 %) and the highest overall efficiency of 73.02 %. This highlights the effectiveness of integrating phase change materials (PCM) in optimizing the performance of BIPV/T systems. When compared to previous systems, the current system not only achieves superior electrical conversion efficiency-its primary objective-but also makes optimal use of thermal energy.

Keywords: Building integrated photovoltaic; Active and passive cooling; PCM cylindrical capsules; Thermal energy utilization; Energy efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:250:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125009723

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123310

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