Improving solar panel performance using a paraffin wax/copper oxide nanoparticle hybrid phase change material

Abstract

The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels significantly decreases due to temperature rise under solar irradiation, a critical challenge especially in hot climates. This study addresses this issue by developing a highly efficient hybrid phase-change material (PCM) for PV thermal management. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized via chemical precipitation and characterized using XRD and AFM, confirming high purity and a crystalline size of 18–25 nm. The nanoparticles were incorporated into paraffin wax at varying concentrations (0.5–3 wt%) to form the hybrid PCM. The optimal concentration of 2 wt% yielded a remarkable 381.8% enhancement in thermal conductivity compared to pure paraffin. When applied as a passive cooling system to the rear of PV panels, this nano-enhanced PCM achieved an average operating temperature reduction of 14.4 °C. This thermal regulation led to a 29.11% increase in maximum power output (from 28.82 to 37.21 W) and improved energy conversion efficiency from 9.44 to 12.18% under peak irradiance conditions. Furthermore, the system boosted daily energy yield by 22.75%. The novelty of this work lies in the optimization of CuO NP concentration for maximum thermal enhancement and the demonstration of its superior performance under real-world, high-temperature conditions. These results confirm the potential of this nano-enhanced PCM as a practical and effective solution for improving the efficiency and longevity of solar energy systems.