Parametric energy, economic and environmental analysis of cooling photovoltaic panels with hybrid phase change materials

Purpose By examining hybrid cooling techniques that combine phase change materials (PCM) with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) systems, this study seeks to increase the electrical efficiency of PV panels. Design/methodology/approach Using information from the body of literature on the relative efficiency gains of different cooling methods, a theoretical parametric study was carried out. To assess the effects on energy production, cost savings, and CO2 emission reductions, this data was applied to a domestic home case study. The consumption ratio (R), which shows the percentage of a household’s energy needs that are satisfied by solar energy, was taken into account in the analysis. Findings With average yearly values of 7,419.13 × R kWh for energy generation, $2,670.88 × R in cost savings and a decrease of 4,052.33 × R kg in CO2 emissions, the integration of PCM with PV/T systems (PV/T-PCM) produced the best results. The PV-TEG-PCM system came next, with respective outputs of 7,045.43 × R kWh, $2,536.35 × R, and 3,848.21 × R kg. With corresponding figures of 6,946.50 × R kWh, $2,500.74 × R, and 3,794.18 × R kg, the PV-PCM system demonstrated the least amount of improvement. Research limitations The current study is a parametric theoretical study based on percentage enhancement due to PV cooling retrieved from the literature. Practical implications According to these results, adding PCM to PV/T systems greatly improves PV panel performance, which has major positive effects on the environment, economy and energy use. Originality/value This paper provides a thorough investigation of the combined effects of PCM, TEG and PV/T systems on PV panel efficiency and related advantages by combining them in a novel way within a theoretical framework.