A review of cooling techniques for photovoltaic modules

A portion of the solar energy that strikes the photovoltaic (PV) panel is converted into heat on one side and electrical energy on the other. The operating temperature of solar cells increases as a result, which has an adverse effect on the cell’s lifespan, ability to produce electricity, and electrical efficiency. Consequently, it has become crucial to employ a variety of cooling strategies in order to maintain the operating temperature around the nominal value and enhance performance. The PV panel is cooled using a variety of methods, including passive and active cooling. In this study, a number of cooling technologies are reviewed using active air-cooling systems that make use of several heat sink types, including metal meshes, perforated fins, rectangular fins, and porous materials. Notwithstanding the relevance of various cooling systems that keep the working temperature of the photovoltaic cell at the desired value, economic viability must be considered when designing systems for cooling solar panels.