Zainal Arifin, Singgih Dwi Prasetyo, Yuki Trisnoaji, Mohd Afzanizam Mohd Rosli, Watuhumalang Bhre Bangun
Thermal stress remains a significant constraint on photovoltaic (PV) performance, necessitating advanced cooling strategies that enhance both electrical efficiency and operational stability. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 experimental and numerical investigations examining hybrid nanofluid–PCM cooling in PV/T systems. A multistage PRISMA framework and random-effects modeling were employed to synthesize heterogeneous performance indicators and evaluate robustness across study conditions. The findings indicate that hybrid cooling delivers consistent multidimensional improvements, including an average electrical efficiency increase of 3.10% and a thermal efficiency gain of 5.50%, alongside substantial heat transfer enhancement. Subgroup comparisons demonstrate that hybrid configurations outperform single-mode approaches, confirming the synergistic interaction between convective nanofluid mechanisms and latent-heat buffering. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses support the reliability of the aggregated evidence. Despite promising performance gains, challenges related to long-term material stability, environmental considerations, and large-scale economic feasibility remain unresolved. Overall, hybrid nanofluid–PCM cooling represents a strategically significant pathway for improving PV/T efficiency and thermal resilience, warranting further standardization and real-world validation. © 2026 The Authors.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia; Power Plant Engineering Technology, Faculty of Vocational Studies, State University of Malang, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, 76100, Malaysia
