Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance Using Solar Reflectors and Active Cooling in Hot Climates

Youssef Kassem; Huseyin Camur; Huseyin Gokcekus; Mustapha Tanimu Adamu; Ibrahim Aliyu Tukur

doi:10.48084/etasr.17386

Authors

Youssef Kassem Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus | Energy, Environment, and Water Research Center, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus
Huseyin Camur Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus
Huseyin Gokcekus Department of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus | Energy, Environment, and Water Research Center, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus
Mustapha Tanimu Adamu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkiye), Cyprus
Ibrahim Aliyu Tukur Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria

Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 34505-34516 | April 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.17386

Received: 6 January 2026 | Revised: 9 February 2026 | Accepted: 14 February 2026 | Online: 4 April 2026

Corresponding author: Youssef Kassem

Abstract

This study experimentally evaluates a hybrid approach to improving the optical and thermal performance of Photovoltaic (PV) modules operating in hot-climate conditions. The main objective is to reduce efficiency losses caused by high temperatures under maximum Solar Radiation (SR) using a common side reflector and an active water-cooling method. Outdoor experiments were conducted in Kano State, Nigeria, where three 10W polycrystalline PV cell configurations (a reference module, a reflector-assisted module, and a reflector-assisted module with active water cooling) were used. All systems were analyzed based on output power, unit Surface Temperature (ST), SR, and Solar Hour Angle (SHA). The results showed that the reflector-only configuration increased incident SR by up to 47%, at the expense of a matching increase in ST by up to 29%. In contrast, the combined reflector–cooling configuration resulted in a temperature increase of up to 15% while maintaining radiation gains, thus recording the highest net power output. The comparative analyses prove that thermal regulation is necessary to realize the full optical enhancement benefit. Moreover, a scaling analysis demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach, which yields roughly 187 MWh of energy annually for a 1000 m² installation in northern Nigeria. Consequently, the outcomes demonstrate that combining active cooling and optical concentration is an effective method to increase PV efficiency, especially in hot regions.

Keywords:

Nigeria, photovoltaic systems, solar reflectors, active cooling, solar hour angle, power output enhancement

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