Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng. Vol.4 No3 687-697 (2018) 687 ISSN 2349 5359 Sachin V. Chavan & Devaprakasam International Journal of Advanced Science and Engineering www.mahendrapublications.com ABSTRACT: The increasing fossil fuel prices due to demand for electricity and increasing environmental changes have revitalized the idea to move towards the renewable energy sources. The solar photovoltaic module is one of the most sustainable and effective system. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) cells can absorb only 70-80% incident solar radiations however only small amount of this incident energy converted into electricity. The remainder energy increases the temperature of PV cell. When the temperature of a PV increases, electrical efficiency of PV system decreases. The current review and study focus the use of Phase Change Material (PCM) with different combinations and configurations for improving electrical and thermal performance of system. Using Phase Change Material (PCM) as passive method of cooling is one of the most challenges tools to reduce and regulate the temperature of PV panel. In this paper overview of some systems like PV-PCM, PV- Combined PCM, PV- PCM - thermoelectric (TE), concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) - PCM are well discussed. The PCM cooling gives measurable temperature drop of PV panel and then proportionally increases in electrical efficiency. Future areas and scope of PV-PCM research also discussed in this paper. KEYWORDS: Solar Energy, Phase Change Material, Electrical Efficiency, Thermal Efficiency DOI: 10.29294/IJASE.4.3.2018.687-697 © 2018 Mahendrapublications.com, All rights reserved *Corresponding Author: chavansachin.vasantrao2016@vitstudent.ac.in Received: 10.01.2018 Accepted: 25.02.2018 Published on: 20.03.2018 Improving the Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Thermal System using Phase Change Materials - Review Sachin V. Chavan *a,b, , D. Devaprakasam a, c a School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University Chennai,Tamil Nadu -600127, India b Singhgad Institute of Technology Lonavala, Pune, 410401 India c InCUBE-EngSciRes R&D, Alpha Academy Tech, Udumalpet, Coimbatore, TN, 642126, India 1. INTRODUCTION The sun is the most important non-conventional energy source available today. The applications of energy are increases in all countries around the world. The solar energy is the most important energy source, recently due to cost, availability and effectiveness. There are two types of solar energy systems - thermal and photovoltaic. Photovoltaic technology widely used to satisfied energy requirement goals [1]. There is a great deal of opportunity for using these systems in the countries to improve the available technology and utilization factor of the solar energy [2]. Therefore in many countries scientists and engineers are working on generating electricity by utilizing solar radiations. Photovoltaic cells (PV) are used to convert sunlight energy into electricity by taking the advantage of radiant photons [3]. Photovoltaic module consists of n- type and P-type semiconductors that converts photons of solar energy into electricity. All incident photons having different energy confirmations small or large compared to P-N junction energy level [4]. All incident photons not converted into electricity only small amount of photons converted in to electricity depending on conversion efficiency of solar panel. The remainder part of energy increases the temperature of PV cell [5]. The temperatures of photovoltaic cells have a significant effect on the performance of the system. So researchers have the task to maintain that PV panel temperature at the optimum level by imparting various technologies. Investigated PV cell performance that shows a power drop of 0.65 % per 1º C temperature increases [6]. The efficiency drop approximately 0.5 % per 1º C temperature rise. In recent years different cooling technologies have been proposed, and experimentations carried out for analysis purpose. The standard operating condition (25ºC and 1000W/m 2 ) cannot be stabilized in practice; still temperature should be as low as possible [7]. Many researchers found different techniques to achieve PV thermal control mainly classified as active methods of cooling and passive methods of cooling. To cool PV system by using active method extra power consumes which cost the system efficiency however low heat transfer rate in the passive method are the main weaknesses of this system [8, 9]. The passive method of cooling, PCM is the important materials in PV –PVT system. A phase change material release and absorb thermal energy in order to maintain and regulate temperature There are many advantages to use PCM in PV cooling applications like higher heat transfer rate compared to water and air cooling, no need of electricity, higher heat storage capacity, noiseless, heat supply on demand etc. [10]. PCM stores latent heat of materials they initially heat up by sensible heat until reaching the melting point, then substance absorbs latent heat and melt gradually with time [11]. The objective of this paper to aware about various new techniques used to improve the performance of solar photovoltaic thermal system using phase change materials. 1.1 Photovoltaic technology history Photo – thermo system absorbed emitted radiations from sun convert them into heat and electricity by using photovoltaic effects. Table 1 represents history of solar photovoltaic system in last century. 1.2 Thermal Management Systems Temperature regulation of PV panel cannot be maintained at standard operating condition (25°C and 1000W/m 2 ). There are different ways to maintain it at optimum level like forced air circulation, natural cooling, thermoelectric cooling hydraulic, heat pipe and Phase change material [13].