Progress in passive cooling strategies for silicon photovoltaic panels with incorporated phase change materials

Passive cooling of photovoltaic (PV) panels using phase change materials (PCMs) represents strategy to improve the efficiency and lifetime of PV systems. PCMs are characterized by their ability to effectively manage thermal energy, including its absorption, storage and release, which helps to stabilize the temperature and improve the overall performance of the system. This review fills a gap in the existing literature by providing the comprehensive examination of passive cooling of PV panels using PCM technology in the last five years. It highlights the need to update and consolidate recent research findings to provide a complete overview of the latest advances in the field. The work provides a detailed examination of the various PCMs used in these studies, including their key thermal and physical properties since they are crucial for understanding how PCMs affect the performance and durability of PV panels. In addition, the work categorizes the studies examined into different PV-PCM configurations, including single-layer systems (such as pure PCM, PCM with additives, and PCM in foam), multi-layer systems, PCM in pipes and combinations of PCM with other passive techniques. Each configuration is described in detail and the main results, conclusions and limitations of these studies are presented. Furthermore, the economic and environmental aspects of the studies are discussed, and their wider implications are highlighted. Finally, possible future research directions in this area are also outlined and discussed. It is emphasized that further investigation is needed to optimize PCM performance, integrate advanced materials, and explore innovative configurations to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of PV-PCM systems.