Continuous rising in energy demand for industrial and domestic purposes has increased interest in renewable energy as a substitute for fossil fuels. The traditional use of fossil fuels has caused serious environmental concerns as a result of atmospheric emission of greenhouse gasses causing global warming and global climate change. Different technologies have been employed to mitigate energy problems and to depend less on the fossil fuels. One of these technologies is the utilization of the solar energy through the use of the PV modules that absorb short-wavelength solar energy and convert it to electrical energy. The solar energy absorption comes at an expense of unwanted increments in the cell working temperature that reduce the efficiency of the photovoltaic system. The continuous heating of the photovoltaic cells over a prolonged period causes aging and might result in structural damage.
Mr. Hamzat has comprehensively reviewed the recent advancements in Solar PV cooling technologies, shedding light on the role of nanofluids on the performance of PV thermal system, integrated nanofluid and nano-PCM, and, highlighting their potential to revolutionize solar energy utilization.

In Mr. Abdulhammed Hamzat’s research published in Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, a top 1% journal. He say, to achieve solar systems with improved performance and efficiency, a comprehensive understanding of various cooling techniques is essential and their review serves as an invaluable resource for researchers seeking a more nuanced understanding of this evolving field, facilitating its advancement into practical applications.

Nanofluids are driving a new era of efficiency in solar panel technology by addressing one of the biggest challenges in photovoltaic (PV) systems: overheating. In 2016, PV panels worldwide produced 77.3 gigawatts (GW) of power, with crystalline silicon solar panels dominating 93% of the market share. By 2040, the PV market was projected to soar to an impressive $345.59 billion. PV panels generate electricity using solar cells, which convert sunlight into energy. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy, laboratory studies show efficiencies of 26.7% for mono-crystalline cells and 22.3% for multi-crystalline silicon wafer-based cells, while advanced high-concentration multi-junction cells demonstrated an efficiency of 46%.

Mr. Hamzat points out that the high temperatures remain a critical issue for PV systems. When solar radiation hits the panels, only about 15–20% of the energy is converted into electricity, while the majority becomes heat. This heat causes panels to overheat, reducing efficiency by approximately 0.5% for every degree of temperature increase and shortening the panels’ lifespan.

Nanotechnology offers a groundbreaking solution to this problem. Nanofluids, designed as advanced cooling systems, effectively lower the panels’ temperature by absorbing excess heat. Additionally, nanotechnology-based optical filters enhance efficiency by allowing only specific wavelengths of solar radiation to pass through, ensuring greater absorption of usable energy.

Despite huge investments in nanofluid technology for photovoltaic thermal systems, researchers still find it hard to achieve stable nanofluids during preparation. Since nanoparticles have a tendency to aggregate, which can reduce their effectiveness, the research team suggests that future studies should prioritize the development of more stable nanofluids. Additionally, they recommend investigating novel materials that could further improve solar absorption and thermal conductivity.