Thermally geometric design of phase change material and photovoltaic (PV-PCM) for cooling and efficiency improvement

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 254; p. 123533
• Main Authors: Cai, Haotong, Fan, Jiaxi, Li, Haoming, Cheng, Haoyang, Ji, Dongxu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2025
• Subjects: Backplane cooling design; Phase change materials (PCMs); Photovoltaic; Photovoltaic efficiency improvement; Thermally geometric design; Photovoltaic; Phase change materials (PCMs); Photovoltaic efficiency improvement; Backplane cooling design; Thermally geometric design
• ISSN: 0960-1481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123533

This study designed a phase change material (PCM) geometry for enhancing photovoltaic (PV) thermal management and efficiency, synergizing conduction and convection to enhance heat transfer under dynamic climates. A novel staggered PCM array integrated into the PV backplate is proposed, enhancing both heat storage and airflow-driven convection. Results shows that during summer in Hong Kong, the system demonstrates an average PV temperature reduction of 7.2 K, boosting energy output by 35.7 % and lowering the levelized cost of energy by 8.1 % compared to air-cooled PV systems. The PCM flattens daytime temperature spikes, stabilizing efficiency despite irradiance fluctuations. The designed PCM structure at the same time provides stagger air flow channels, which proves effective in four different climates and solar resource regions. Seasonal test of typical days is conducted. This work provides a novel approach for PV-PCM passive cooling through radiation, convection and conduction enhancement, achieved by structural design. Future work may focus on parameters optimization, to quantitatively optimized PCM geometry parameters, and PCM material parameters, subject to economic and power production benefits.