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

Ranjbar Zeinali, Mohsen; Eghbali, Seyed Rahman

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2026.2069892.1327

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

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

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