International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

Enhancing the Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Panels by Using Phase Change Materials: An Experimental Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohsen Ranjbar Zeinali
Seyed Rahman Eghbali
Department of Architecture, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
10.22034/ijumes.2026.2069892.1327
Abstract
Global energy demand and climate concerns have accelerated photovoltaic (PV) deployment, yet excessive heat accumulation under high solar irradiance remains a critical barrier to efficiency. Elevated operating temperatures reduce electrical output by approximately 0.5% per °C and accelerate long-term degradation. This study experimentally investigates the integration of Polyethylene Glycol 600 (PEG-600) as a phase change material (PCM) for passive thermal management of PV modules under dynamic electrical loading conditions. Two identical polycrystalline PV modules were tested side-by-side on a rooftop in Tehran, Iran, during peak summer irradiance (June 2024). One module (PV-Ref) operated without modification, while the other (PV-PCM) was thermally coupled to a rear-mounted aluminum container filled with PEG-600 (melting point: 17–22 °C). Both systems were subjected to variable resistive loads (1.5–150 Ω) to simulate real-world electrical demand fluctuations. Temperature, voltage, current, and irradiance were recorded at 10-minute intervals using calibrated sensors. The PV-PCM system maintained significantly lower operating temperatures, with a maximum temperature differential of 37.3 °C observed at 1200 W/m² irradiance under 1.5 Ω load. This thermal regulation translated to an average electrical power improvement of 10.8% compared to the reference module, with peak gains reaching 15.2% during high-load conditions. The PCM effectively buffered temperature spikes during transient irradiance fluctuations. PEG-600-based passive cooling offers a practical, maintenance-free approach to enhance PV performance in high-radiation climates. However, validation through long-term field deployment and techno-economic analysis is required before large-scale adoption.

Graphical Abstract

Enhancing the Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Panels by Using Phase Change Materials: An Experimental Study

Highlights

·         Demonstrated significant thermal regulation: The PV-PCM system maintained a mean temperature reduction of 19.4°C (37.6% reduction) compared to the reference PV panel under real-world outdoor conditions in Tehran’s semi-arid climate.

·         Improved electrical performance: The PCM-enhanced PV system generated 10.8% more electricity on average, confirming the direct link between temperature reduction and higher energy yield.

·         Validated under dynamic load conditions: Performance was systematically assessed using resistor banks (1R–5R), revealing that optimal efficiency was achieved under moderate loading conditions, with slight reductions under maximum current draw due to internal Joule heating.

·         Established real-world feasibility: Results confirmed that PEG-600, with its melting range of 20–25°C, is well-suited for passive thermal management of PV panels in semi-arid urban environments.

·         Supported sustainable energy planning: Findings provide actionable insights for integrating PCM-based thermal management in urban rooftop PV design, contributing to Iran’s energy efficiency and decarbonization strategies.

Keywords
Integrated PV-PCM system
phase change material
photovoltaic panel
polyethylene glycol (PEG-600)
solar energy efficiency
thermal management
Abd-Elrazik, A.S.; Saidur, R.; Al-Sulaiman, F., (2020). Thermal regulation and performance assessment of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal system using different combinations of nano-enhanced phase change materials. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 215: 110645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2020.110645.
Abdelrazik, A.; Osama, A.; Allam, A.N.; Shboul, B.; Sharafeldin, M.A.; Elwardany, M.; Masoud, A.M., (2023). ANSYS-Fluent numerical modeling of the solar thermal and hybrid photovoltaic-based solar harvesting systems. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 148: 11373–11424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-12509-2.
Abdullah, A.; Atallah, F.S.; Ahmed, O.; Daoud, R., (2022). Performance improvement of photovoltaic/Trombe wall by using phase change material: Experimental assessment. J. Energy Storage, 50: 104194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.105596.
Al Arni, S., Mahdi, J. M., Abed, A. M., Hammoodi, K. A., Hasan, H. A., Homod, R. Z., & Khedher, N. B. (2024). Novel multi-layer nano-modified PCM configuration for efficient thermal management of photovoltaic-thermal systems. Journal of Energy Storage, 103, 114352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.114352.
Alikhan, A.H.; Kazemi, M.; Soroush, H., (2023). Enhanced performance of photovoltaic thermal module and solar thermal flat plate collector connected in series through integration with phase change materials. Therm. Sci. Eng. Prog., 39: 101661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2023.102305.
Al-Karboly, A. M., Ibrahim, A., Fazlizan, A., Sopian, K., Al-Aasam, A. B., Ishak, M. A. A. B., ... & Elmnifi, M. (2025). Experimental evaluation of a photovoltaic thermal collector using twisted tape absorber with nano-enhanced phase change material for thermal storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 109, 115122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.115122.
Asefi, G., Ma, T., & Wang, R. (2022). Parametric investigation of photovoltaic-thermal systems integrated with porous phase change material. Applied Thermal Engineering, 201, 117727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117727.
Bhakre, S.S.; Sawarkar, P.; Kalamkar, V., (2023). Numerical study on photovoltaic thermal phase change material system in hot climatic conditions. Appl. Therm. Eng., 221: 119856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.120423.
Deka, M.; Kamble, A.; Das, D.; Sharma, P.; Ali, S.; Kalita, P.; Bora, B.J.; Kalita, P., (2024). Enhancing the performance of a photovoltaic thermal system with phase change materials: Predictive modelling and evaluation using neural networks. Renew. Energy, 213: 118334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.120091.
Jamil, F.; Ahmad, A.; Iqbal, M.; Khan, R., (2021). Evaluation of photovoltaic panels using different nano phase change materials and a concise comparison: An experimental study. Renew. Energy, 169: 1265–1279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.089.
Jeddi Farzane, O.; Daryani, S.; Mokhberkia, M.M., (2017). Explanation of urban development pattern in order to sustainable development. Int. J. Urban Manag. Energy Sustain., 1(3): 8–16. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijumes.2017.18.12.019.
Kumar, P. M., Karthick, A., Richard, S., Vijayakumar, M., Stalin, P. M. J., Kumar, D. G., ... & Eswarlal, V. K. (2021). Investigating performance of solar photovoltaic using a nano phase change material. Materials Today: Proceedings, 47, 5029-5033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.615.
Rad, M. A. V., Kasaeian, A., Mousavi, S., Rajaee, F., & Kouravand, A. (2021). Empirical investigation of a photovoltaic-thermal system with phase change materials and aluminum shavings porous media. Renewable Energy, 167, 662-675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.135.
Rahimi, M., Azimi, N., Nouira, M., & Shahsavar, A. (2023). Experimental study on photovoltaic panels integrated with metal matrix sheets and bio-based phase change materials. Energy, 262, 125371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.125371.
Rajamony, R.K.; Pandey, A.; Sofiah, A.; Paw, J.K.; Suraparaju, S.K.; Fatehmulla, A.; Chopra, K.; Samykano, M.; Farade, R.A., (2025). Experimental investigation of carbon-based nano-enhanced phase change materials assimilated photovoltaic thermal system. J. Taiwan Inst. Chem. Eng., 150: 105445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111373.
Safavi, B., & Shojaeebagheinee, D. (2019). The Use of Photovoltaic Energy for Sustainable Urban Development Emphasizing economic and Environmental Considerations. International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability, 1(1), 71-85.https://dx.doi.org/10.22034/ijumes.2017.06.15.009.
Salimi Gargari,R , Mofidi Shemirani,S M and Sanaieian,H . (2025). Impact of Thermal Insulation on Energy Behavior of Residential Building Envelopes (Tehran’s District 15). International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability, 6(4), 248-259.https://doi.org/10.22034/ijumes.2025.2060021.1311.
Sharaf, M.; Ali, A.; El-Shazly, A., (2022). Performance enhancement of photovoltaic cells using phase change material (PCM) in winter. Alex. Eng. J., 61(6): 4229–4239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2021.09.044.
Tariq, I.; Hu, J.; Chen, W.; Wang, X.; Yan, Y., (2024). Thermal performance of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene foils integrated photovoltaics with phase change materials for building envelopes. Sol. Energy, 267: 112083. https://doi:10.1016/j.solener.2024.112623.
Yu, Q., Chen, X., & Yang, H. (2021). Research progress on utilization of phase change materials in photovoltaic/thermal systems: A critical review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 149, 111313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111313.
Zhao, J., Ma, T., Li, Z., & Song, A. (2019). Year-round performance analysis of a photovoltaic panel coupled with phase change material. Applied energy, 245, 51-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.04.004.
Ziari, K.; Nezami, M., (2020). Assessment of effective measures in residential buildings for photovoltaic-systems installation (Case study: Ekbatan residential complex, Tehran, Iran). Int. J. Urban Manag. Energy Sustain., 2(2): 1–17. https://ijumes.com/article_242512.html.
International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 July 2026

  • Receive Date 25 August 2025
  • Revise Date 17 February 2026
  • Accept Date 30 July 2026