Experimental Investigation on Solar Panels to Enhance Output Power by Using Organic Phase Change Materials in Sultanate of Oman

Solar energy is a crucial component of renewable energy resources. The power output of solar energy primarily depends on irradiance and temperature, with the operating temperature of solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels significantly impacting their efficiency. While high irradiance enhances electrical output, it also raises panel temperatures, which negatively affects efficiency. This experiment aimed to cool solar PV panels to improve their efficiency. In this study, paraffin wax and soya wax were used as phase change materials (PCM) to regulate the panel temperature. The experiment was conducted at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS)-Shinas during the winter season in the Sultanate of Oman. Performance comparisons were made between a conventional 30-W SPV panel and a PCM-applied SPV panel. The experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in the open-circuit voltage (Voc), Voltage at maxi-mum load, Cell temperature and power output of the PCM-applied SPV panel compared to the conventional panel. The PCM-integrated panel achieved a 0–10% more output power than the standard SPV panel. These findings contribute to enhancing sustainability in renewable energy projects by improving solar PV performance through effective thermal management.