Performance Improvement of Solar Photovoltaic Cells Using Phase Change Materials: A Comprehensive Review

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most widely adopted renewable energy solutions due to its sustainability and modularity. However, the performance of PV modules is significantly affected by operating temperature, as higher cell temperatures lead to a reduction in electrical efficiency, output power, and lifespan. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising passive thermal management technique for PV systems owing to their high latent heat storage capacity and nearly isothermal behaviour during phase transition. This review paper presents a detailed and critical assessment of the use of PCMs for thermal regulation and performance enhancement of solar PV cells. The fundamentals of PV temperature effects, PCM thermophysical properties, system configurations, heat transfer mechanisms, experimental and numerical investigations, and performance improvements are comprehensively discussed. Comparative analysis with other cooling techniques, techno-economic considerations, challenges, and future research directions are also highlighted.