Beyond traditional PV system: An annual study on incorporating thermal, phase change material, and thermoelectric generator technologies for performance optimization under various climatic conditions

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) systems play a pivotal role in the global transition to sustainable energy systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The enhancement of the systems’ electrical performance has been an intriguing research topic addressed through the development of various cooling technologies. However, the evaluation of these technologies under dissimilar real-world operating conditions to support informed decision-making remains limited, leading to mixed conclusions about their actual potential. This study conducts a year-round assessment of common PV cooling technologies—Phase Change Material (PCM), Thermal Absorber (TA), and Thermoelectric Generators (TEG)—across diverse climates (cold to desert). Six configurations were tested: PV-only, PV-PCM, PV-TEG, PVT, PVT-TEG, and PVT-PCM. An optimized PCM model enabled annual simulations balancing computational efficiency and accuracy, while computing cold inlet water temperature variations based on weather data. Mathematical models were developed and validated in MATLAB using hourly meteorological data. Annually, the PVT-PCM system achieved the highest total energy efficiency (83 %), outperforming other configurations. In terms of average electrical efficiencies, PVT-TEG and PV-PCM systems ranked first and second, with a range of 11.4–12.2 %. However, TEG integration was limited by insufficient temperature gradients, underscoring the need for advanced materials or cooling approaches. These findings offer key insights into the performance of optimized PV configurations across various climate conditions over a full year period.