A review of solar photovoltaic systems cooling technologies

Abstract

The global need for energy increases with mankind evolution and proliferation. The sharp decrease in fossil fuel sources and pollution increase, triggered research for renewable energy sources. The solar energy, available and sustainable, may be easily converted into both electricity and thermal energy. The photovoltaic paradox (need solar energy to function, but the electricity output decreases if temperature rises under the Sun's heat) was controlled by using various cooling techniques for panels. A large number of papers published to date in literature on solar energy conversion applications are reviewed and classified. The emphasis is placed on methods employed to increase the solar-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency, i.e. thermal management of photovoltaic panels. The use of thermoelectric modules (in PV-T-TE devices, photovoltaic-thermal-thermoelectric) is highlighted.