Next-generation cooling strategies for photovoltaics: A review of pathways toward high efficiency, low carbon, and climate resilience

Photovoltaic (PV) modules suffer significant efficiency losses and accelerated degradation under elevated operating temperatures, yet existing cooling solutions remain fragmented with no unified assessment framework. This review synthesizes recent advances in PV thermal management and introduces a four-tier classification encompassing passive, active, hybrid, and adaptive cooling strategies. Analysis of >200 studies shows that passive approaches—such as radiative coatings, phase-change materials, and heat pipes—typically reduce module temperature by 4–20 °C, improving efficiency by 2–15 %, while active air- and water-based methods achieve larger reductions (20–40 °C) but with higher energy or water requirements. Integrated concepts including PV-thermal collectors, agrivoltaics, and floating PV systems provide additional co-benefits in land and water productivity. Emerging pathways such as bioinspired materials, AI-assisted thermal control, and zero-water cooling offer promising routes toward climate-resilient PV deployment. The review highlights the urgent need for standardized performance metrics and scalable designs to accelerate practical implementation.