Enhanced PV systems with radiative cooling tech

Researchers from China’s Shandong University and Xi’an Jiaotong University have unveiled an innovative radiative cooling (RC) cover for PV panels. According to the study, this cover can reduce the operating temperature of PV panels by up to 3.72%, addressing the challenge of high solar cell temperatures that impair efficiency. The RC cover features a unique particle-doping structure, achieving a high “sky window” emissivity of 95.3% while maintaining a solar transmittance of 94.8%. The RC-PV system reached a peak power output of 147.6 W/m². Field tests conducted across various provinces in China indicated a relative efficiency improvement of 2.78% to 3.72% in annual electricity output compared to standard PV systems. The greatest gains were observed in clear, dry, and cool climates, underscoring the RC-PV system’s potential in diverse environmental conditions.