Advanced Thermal Regulation and Performance Improvement of Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Systems Using Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials and Hybrid Heat Sink Cooling

Abstract

The growing demand for clean and sustainable energy has increased the importance of photovoltaic (PV) systems in modern power generation. However, the performance of photovoltaic panels decreases considerably when operating temperatures rise under high solar radiation. Excess heat accumulation lowers electrical efficiency, affects reliability, and reduces the service life of PV modules. To overcome these limitations, the present study investigates a hybrid thermal management system incorporating nano enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM), aluminum heat sinks, finned encapsulation, and thermal energy storage techniques for photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) applications. The proposed cooling arrangement combines passive thermal regulation using phase change materials with improved heat dissipation through nano particles and finned heat sink structures. Experimental and numerical analyses were conducted under varying outdoor operating conditions to evaluate thermal regulation, electrical efficiency, thermal performance, and overall energy utilization. The results show that the integration of nano enhanced PCM with heat sink cooling effectively reduces PV surface temperature and improves thermal stability. The developed PV/T system also demonstrated better electrical output, enhanced thermal energy storage, and improved heat transfer characteristics compared with conventional photovoltaic systems. Comparative analysis indicates that the hybrid cooling approach improves overall system efficiency and offers a reliable solution for advanced solar energy applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics and sustainable thermal energy systems. Recent developments reported in 2025–2026 literature related to nano-enhanced PCM technology and heat transfer enhancement are also considered in this study.

Introduction

This study presents an advanced hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system that integrates nano-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM), aluminum heat sinks, finned thermal storage structures, and thermal energy storage techniques to improve the thermal regulation and overall performance of solar photovoltaic panels. Photovoltaic modules lose efficiency as operating temperature rises, with efficiency typically decreasing by 0.4–0.5% for every 1°C increase above standard conditions. Therefore, effective cooling is essential for enhancing power generation and extending panel lifespan.

The proposed system uses a combination of heat sinks, nano-enhanced PCM, and aluminum fins to absorb, store, and dissipate excess heat generated by PV panels. Nanoparticles improve the thermal conductivity of conventional PCM, enabling faster heat transfer and better thermal storage. The finned structure further enhances heat distribution and accelerates PCM melting and solidification processes. Experimental studies were conducted under outdoor conditions, while numerical analyses were used to evaluate thermal behavior, electrical efficiency, and energy storage performance.

Results showed that the hybrid cooling system significantly reduced PV panel temperatures, improved thermal stability, and enhanced electrical efficiency compared to conventional photovoltaic systems. The reduction in operating temperature led to higher power output, more uniform temperature distribution, and better heat recovery. The nano-enhanced PCM also demonstrated improved thermal conductivity, faster heat absorption, greater latent heat storage capacity, and enhanced long-term thermal stability.

Compared with traditional PV systems, the proposed hybrid PV/T system achieved:

• Lower PV surface temperatures
• Improved electrical efficiency
• Higher thermal energy recovery
• Better thermal stability
• Enhanced heat dissipation
• More uniform temperature distribution

The study concludes that integrating nano-enhanced PCM, heat sinks, and finned encapsulation provides an effective passive cooling solution that improves photovoltaic performance, increases energy utilization, reduces thermal degradation, and supports sustainable renewable energy applications. The system offers a practical approach for enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and lifespan of solar energy systems under real-world operating conditions.

Conclusion

The present investigation focused on improving the thermal and electrical performance of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems through the integration of nano-enhanced phase change materials, aluminum heat sinks, and finned thermal storage arrangements. Experimental and numerical analyses confirmed that the proposed hybrid cooling system effectively controlled photovoltaic operating temperature and improved overall system efficiency under outdoor environmental conditions. The study demonstrated that excessive heat generated in photovoltaic modules can be effectively absorbed, stored, and dissipated using nano-enhanced PCM combined with advanced heat transfer enhancement techniques. The developed cooling arrangement showed significant reduction in photovoltaic panel temperature during peak solar radiation periods. The incorporation of nano-enhanced PCM improved thermal conductivity, latent heat storage capability, and thermal response characteristics compared with conventional phase change materials. The aluminum heat sink provided efficient heat transfer from the photovoltaic panel, while embedded fin structures improved thermal distribution and accelerated the melting-solidification process within the PCM chamber. These combined effects resulted in improved thermal regulation and stable operating conditions for the photovoltaic module. The reduction in panel temperature directly improved the electrical conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic system. Lower operating temperatures reduced thermal losses and enhanced photovoltaic power generation performance under varying solar radiation conditions. The proposed hybrid PV/T arrangement also improved thermal energy recovery and overall energy utilization efficiency through simultaneous generation of electrical and thermal energy. Experimental observations confirmed that the system maintained better temperature uniformity and reduced thermal fluctuations compared with conventional photovoltaic systems operating without thermal management. The present research findings are consistent with recent international studies published during 2025–2026 on nano-enhanced PCM-based photovoltaic cooling systems. Recent investigations reported that grapheme enhanced PCM and carbonaceous nano-materials significantly improve thermal conductivity and heat transfer performance in photovoltaic thermal applications. The experimental results obtained in the present work confirmed several important improvements in system performance, including reduction in photovoltaic operating temperature, enhancement of electrical conversion efficiency, improvement in thermal energy storage capability, and better thermal stability during continuous outdoor operation. The proposed passive cooling arrangement also reduced thermal degradation of photovoltaic modules and improved the expected operational life of the PV system. Because the developed cooling system operates without additional external energy input, it provides a sustainable and energy-efficient solution for advanced photovoltaic thermal management applications. The investigation further demonstrated that nano-enhanced phase change material systems integrated with heat sinks and finned encapsulation structures can be effectively utilized for future renewable energy and thermal management applications. The improved thermal and electrical performance, combined with better energy storage capability and passive cooling operation, make the proposed PV/T system suitable for building-integrated photovoltaics, smart energy systems, industrial thermal recovery, rural electrification, and sustainable solar energy applications. Overall, the present study confirms that hybrid PV/T cooling systems using nano-enhanced phase change materials provide an effective approach for improving photovoltaic performance, thermal regulation, and overall energy utilization. Recent advancements reported during 2025–2026 further support the application of nano-enhanced thermal energy storage systems for next-generation solar photovoltaic technologies. The developed system offers a reliable, passive, and environmentally sustainable solution for improving the efficiency and long-term stability of future solar energy systems.

References

[1] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “Influence on solar PV performance integrated with heat sinks and nano-enhanced phase change material,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, Sage Publications, 2024. DOI: 10.1177/0954408924125314. [2] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) system performance effects using conventional/modern cooling techniques with and without PCM,” Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, Springer, 2020. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-7557-0_54. [3] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “Enhancing Efficiency of PVT systems with Finned PCM technology,” i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 3, 2023. DOI: 10.26634/jme.13.3.19510. [4] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “Experimental and Numerical Study of Photo Voltaic Thermal PCM Heat Transfer Augmentation with Encapsulation of Embedded Material/Fins,” Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology, 2022. DOI: 10.12912/27197050/150357. [5] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “PVT Panel efficiency enhancement with cooling methods and sun tracking,” i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 3, 2023. DOI: 10.26634/jme.13.3.19759. [6] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, and V. V. Subba Rao, “PVT Cell Performance Characteristics and Efficiency with Phase Change Material,” International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, vol. 9, no. 5, 2020. DOI: 10.35940/ijeat.E1053.069520. [7] D. Kameswara Rao, K. Sudhakar Reddy, V. V. Subba Rao, and P. Sundar, “Thermal and phase change characteristics of organic phase change material enhanced by carbonaceous materials,” Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Springer, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s10973-025-14160-5. [8] S. K. Gupta et al., “A review on recent development and applications of nano-enhanced phase change materials,” 2026.ScienceDirect Article [9] H. A. Abdul Kareem et al., “Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Using a Heat Sink Integrated with Nano-PCM on the PV Cell Temperature,” Journal of Techniques, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 107–117, 2026.ResearchGate Article [10] F. Mebarek-Oudina et al., “Review on Nano Enhanced PCMs: Insight on NePCM Applications,” Energies, 2023. MDPI Energies Article [11] “A Comprehensive Review of Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques of PCM Systems,” Springer,2025.Springer Review Article [12] P. S. Deshpande et al., “Experimental studies on latent heat capacity of hybrid nano-enhanced PCM systems,” 2025.Taylor & Francis Article “Performance assessment of nano-enhanced organic PCM embedded in heat sinks for PV panel thermal management under outdoor conditions,” Applied Thermal Engineering, 2025.ScienceDirect Applied Thermal Engineering Article

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 D. Kameswara Rao, K. Ankamma, K Sudhakar Reddy, S Madav Reddy, B Ramakrishna. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.