The University of Sharjah, a United Arab Emirates-based higher education and research institution, has secured US patent US12341471B2 for a PV cooling system. The system has been designed for hot and arid regions where panel temperatures can reach 70°C, causing up to 20% efficiency loss. It uses calibrated exhaust fans to direct waste air from centralized air conditioning units to rear panel surfaces, reducing thermal losses and operating temperatures. According to the University of Sharjah, the design can recover up to 10% additional output, extend panel lifespan, and reduce maintenance requirements. Each 1°C rise typically reduces efficiency by 0.45 %, while every 10 °C increase is known to double degradation rates. Panels are mounted at a set distance and angle to optimize airflow, ensuring consistent cooling performance. Industry interest has been reported from HVAC, building energy management, and PV companies, while further research is underway in hybrid PV/wind and dust removal systems.
Sharjah university develops patented PV cooling tech for hot climates
The University of Sharjah has secured a US patent for a PV panel cooling system that repurposes AC waste air to improve efficiency in high-heat regions.
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