Progressive cooling technologies of photovoltaic and concentrated photovoltaic modules: A review of fundamentals, thermal aspects, nanotechnology utilization and enhancing performance

The advanced cooling methods of photovoltaic and concentrated photovoltaic modules are evaluated in this study to identify the most appropriate methods for each in terms of environmental conditions and performance. Another goal of present study is to identify the engaged countries with this aspect and the most effort in this field. Long term increasing the temperature of the photovoltaic modules, reduces their efficiency and reliability. However, the temperature of concentrated photovoltaic modules is substantially higher, which is negative point for to concentrated photovoltaic life and its performance. Diverse heat control technologies have been developed and used to decrease the damaging effects of temperature rise on the photovoltaic and concentrated photovoltaic solar modules. In this matter applying nanotechnology can be a great facilitator that has been discussed in present article. The potential of the discarded thermal energy of the modules, can be considered as a hybrid solar system. It is clear that utilizing the produced heat, also increases the general performance of the hybrid solar system. In this research, cooling techniques of photovoltaic and concentrated photovoltaic modules in two common approaches and a new specific approach were reviewed and classified based on several research articles, focus of studies, host countries of research work, technology type used, thermal aspects, cooling effect and electrical efficiency enhancement. These cooling approaches are active, passive, and combined methods. Discussion and explanation of the results is based on the positive points, negative points, and innovations of each cooling method in its category (photovoltaic or concentrated photovoltaic).