Enhancing PV Efficiency through Scalable Radiant Cooling with Optimized Randomly Doped Particle Structures

Abstract

Solar energy is a critical resource in the fight against climate change, yet a significant portion of solar radiation is dissipated as heat in photovoltaic (PV) systems, impairing their performance. Conventional solar cell cooling technologies are energy-intensive and demand regular maintenance. Here, we propose a scalable and economically viable radiative cooling cover employing randomly doped particle structures to combat these issues. The cover's solar transmittance and "sky window" emissivity were investigated numerically, using a combination of Mie theory and Monte Carlo method. The optimal design yields a solar transmittance of 94.8% and a "sky window" emissivity of 95.3%, resulting in a power generation of 147.8 W/m² for the radiative cooling PV (RCPV) module. A comparison of this module's power efficiency under various environmental conditions with bare crystalline silicon solar cells and covered glass covers indicated that the PV surface temperature was 10.3 K lower in our module, closely approximating the ideal scheme. This innovative approach offers a pathway for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of PV systems, contributing to the broader adoption of solar energy in combating climate change.