Addressing Energy Challenges in Low-Income Communities via Solar PV and Thermal Management Approach

Abstract

This study shows how important temperature control is for improving solar panel performance and supporting clean energy goals. It tested an active evaporative cooling system for photovoltaic (PV) panels under the hot and dry conditions of Atbara City, Sudan. Using MATLAB/Simulink, a water-based cooling setup was added to the back of a JKM400M-72HL-V solar panel to study how it affects temperature and electricity generation during the day. The cooled panel stayed much cooler—between 22°C and 30°C, compared to 67°C for the uncooled one. As a result, total daily power increased from 1,553 W to 2,235 W, a 44% improvement in efficiency (from 11.6% to 16.7%). The system also used very little water, about 2–5.2 liters per day for a 12-panel array. These results show that active evaporative cooling is a simple, practical, and eco-friendly way to boost solar panel performance and lifespan in hot, dry regions like northern Sudan, especially in low-income or off-grid areas.