Recent techniques for cooling of concentrated photovoltaic thermal systems

The energy conversion performance of commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems is only 15–20 percent; moreover, a rise in working temperature mitigates this low efficiency. To enhance their performance and prevent damage, researchers test new technologies and integrate heat recovery devices with PV systems. Concentrated photovoltaic systems (CPVs) are especially vulnerable to high radiation levels. This paper explores novel cooling techniques for PV systems, an area that has not been extensively investigated before. The cooling methods are categorized into front-surface and back-surface cooling methods, offering a unique perspective on how to keep PV systems cool. Moreover, the paper delves into the advancements made in PV cooling systems and CPVs, shedding light on the cutting-edge developments in this field. The results demonstrate the profound impact of various operational factors, such as radiation and wind speed, on the selection of suitable cooling systems or heat recovery methods. These findings unveil the crucial importance of considering these factors when choosing cooling techniques, adding a compelling dimension to the research. For example, it was depicted that optical cooling techniques can enhance the performance of PV systems by up to 4.2