TY - JOUR
TI - The 3-D performance improvement of photovoltaic systems with PCM and fin-based cooling
AU - Reteri Ahmed
AU - Nabil Abdel Illah
AU - Menni Younes
AU - Bayram Mustafa
AU - Ikumapayi Omolayo M
AU - Bayode Abiodun
AU - Ting Tin Tin
AU - Özer Salih
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2025
VL - 29
IS - 4
SP - 3097
EP - 3104
PT - Article
AB - Photovoltaic cell efficiency is notably affected by temperature, with higher  operating temperatures leading to significant drops in electrical  performance. To mitigate this thermal drawback, the present study  investigates a passive cooling approach that integrates PCM beneath  photovoltaic modules. Exploiting the latent heat absorption during the PCM  phase transition, the system effectively moderates panel temperature. Three  system configurations are assessed: uncooled photovoltaic panels,  photovoltaic panels equipped with PCM, and photovoltaic panels incorporating  both PCM and fins for enhanced thermal dissipation. Key performance  indicators, including cell temperature, electrical output, and PCM liquid  fraction, are evaluated across the setups. Results demonstrate a marked  reduction in panel temperature with the use of PCM, while the addition of  fins further amplifies cooling efficiency and electrical performance.