Scientists Cool Solar Panels With Seawater, Boost Power 9%

Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones, and scientists just proved it with solar panels and seawater.

A team at the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy found that placing just 5 millimeters of still seawater on top of solar panels keeps them cooler and more productive. No pumps, no moving parts, no extra energy needed.

The results speak for themselves. During four days of testing, the seawater layer dropped panel temperatures by up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit compared to regular panels. That cooling effect boosted daily energy output by as much as 8.9%.

Heat has always been solar power's secret enemy. As photovoltaic panels warm up in bright sunlight, they actually produce less electricity right when the sun is strongest. Most cooling systems use pumps or water submersion, which adds costs, energy demands, and corrosion risks.

The Indian team's approach sidesteps all those problems. They keep a shallow layer of seawater on the panel's surface while keeping everything else dry. The water naturally absorbs heat without blocking too much sunlight.

"The concept is safe, economic, and has less environmental impact," lead researcher H. Sharon told PV Magazine.

The Ripple Effect spreads far beyond one research lab. Coastal communities around the world could tap into abundant seawater to make their solar installations more productive without expensive equipment. More efficient panels mean more clean energy flowing into power grids, helping reduce pollution that warms the planet and harms human health.

The technology isn't perfect yet. Salt buildup from evaporation caused some performance drops during testing. The research team plans to study how the system handles different climates and salt levels before it's ready for widespread use.

But the potential is enormous. If this passive cooling method scales up successfully, it could make solar energy more reliable and affordable for millions of people living near coastlines. Communities could generate more clean power without straining energy grids or budgets.

The researchers note their thermal management technique "is efficient and competitive" with more complex cooling systems. They're calling for more development work to prepare the technology for large scale applications.

Solar energy already helps families and businesses save money while cleaning up the air we breathe. This seawater breakthrough hints that the best days for clean energy are still ahead.