Effect Of Phase Change Materials On The Thermal Performance And Efficiency Of Photovoltaic Panels: An Empirical Assessment Under Pakistani Climatic Conditions

Ammar Haider Mohal; Muhammad Abdul Jabar Adnan; Abdullah Abdul Ghaffar Khan; Muhammad Tahir Latif; Hafiz Ghulam Nabi; Tahira Fozia; Hafiza Mustabshara Irfan

Authors

Ammar Haider Mohal Queen Mary University of London, London
Muhammad Abdul Jabar Adnan Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Abdullah Abdul Ghaffar Khan Virtual University of Pakistan
Muhammad Tahir Latif Higher Education Department, Government of the Punjab, Lahore
Hafiz Ghulam Nabi Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Tahira Fozia Higher Education Department, Government of the Punjab, Lahore
Hafiza Mustabshara Irfan Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of the Punjab, Lahore

Keywords:

Phase Change Material; Photovoltaic Panel; Thermal Regulation; Passive Cooling; Paraffin Wax; Solar Energy; Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan receives among the highest levels of solar irradiance in South Asia, yet the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) installations across the country is persistently eroded by elevated ambient and cell operating temperatures, particularly during the summer months (April to September) when back-surface temperatures of unshaded rooftop modules routinely exceed 60°C. This study experimentally and analytically investigates the use of organic phase change materials (PCM), specifically paraffin wax RT35, as a passive thermal-regulation strategy for crystalline-silicon PV modules operating under the semi-arid climate of Lahore, Punjab. A 150W monocrystalline reference module was benchmarked against an identical module retrofitted with a rear-mounted aluminum PCM container across the peak summer season (June–August). Hourly back-surface temperature and power-output measurements, together with monthly efficiency statistics, were compared between the two configurations. The PCM-integrated module exhibited a mean back-surface temperature reduction of approximately 9–11°C during peak sunshine hours (12:00–14:00), which translated into an average relative efficiency gain of approximately 13–15% and a corresponding increase in daily energy yield. Results are consistent with, and contextualize, previous PCM-PV studies conducted in Taxila and Islamabad. The findings support the technical feasibility of low-cost, maintenance-free PCM retrofits for grid-tied and off-grid solar installations in Pakistan and offer design guidance for melting-point selection suited to the country's climatic zones.