Solar photovoltaic (PV) can be used to generate power by using semiconductor materials to convert solar energy into electricity. In Malaysia, solar PV technology plays a significant role in increasing renewable energy generation capacity target at 20% by 2025. Malaysia’s strategic location at the equator makes it possible to achieve this target. However, several challenges need to be mitigated when implementing this technology, among others is the effect of temperature on solar PV system performance. Solar PV panel is currently rated at a range of efficiency between 13% to 20%. The efficiency of the PV panel is affected by temperature where the PV power and efficiency decrease at the rate of -0.5%/°C and -0.05%/°C respectively as the ambient temperature increases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of PV cooling systems in reducing the solar PV panel temperature. In this study, the PV systems were retrofitted by two types of cooling system which are passive cooling and active cooling systems. The results of panel temperatures were measured against the control system without the cooling mechanism. The research was conducted in real operating condition with direct sunlight. Active cooling system reduced the temperature of the PV system and improved the electrical output by 4.9% while the best passive cooling system improved the output by 3%. Factors contributing to the results are also discussed in this paper.

Malaysia is aiming to increase its renewable energy generation capacity from 2% to 20% by 2030. Solar photovoltaic (PV) system will play a huge role in getting this target achieve as it is considered a maturing technology in Malaysia and the nation is blessed with ample amount of solar irradiation throughout the year. However, in Malaysia, this technology faces various implementation challenges such as the PV performance degradation due to dust deposition on the PV panels. Generally, coal-fired power plants have an abundant area of coal ash pond that is suitable for installing floating PV systems. However, this area is prone to dust deposition resulting from pulverized coal particles and fly ashes. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of dust deposition on PV panels’ performance, specifically for PV systems that will be installed near coal-fired power plants in Malaysia. In this study, PV panels were exposed to four different types of dust deposit conditions, which are coal particles, fly ashes, normal environmental dust as well as control PV panel that was clean on daily basis. The tests were carried out outdoor under natural sunlight. Performance of the PV panels were measured based on the power generated by the panels. The average power drop based on the types of dust deposition on PV panels are; natural dust (2.72%), fly ash (13.16 %) and coal ash (15.82 %).

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panel is the most widely used renewable energy technology in Malaysia due to constant irradiation throughout the year as the country is located near the equator. According to the current state of the Malaysian weather, the ambient temperature is around 25°C and can go up to 30°C. The electrical efficiency of a PV panel is sensitive towards temperature where it is known that the power and efficiency decrease at the rate of ±0.5%/°C and ±0.05%/°C respectively as the ambient temperature increases [1]. This paper discusses the cooling of solar PV technologies, the methodologies of the cooling system and its effectiveness. Generally, the effectiveness of the studies conducted were derived from the solar PV panel temperature reduction and solar PV electricity power output increment. This paper elaborates the trend of methodologies for cooling of solar PV in Malaysian climate. The methodologies that were used by the researchers vary according to the specific objectives which can be categorized as active cooling and/or passive cooling. The gaps of the studies were also identified alongside with the possible solutions to mitigate the problems.