Cooling of PV panels using PCM: a comparative study in Montenegrin climatic zones

The thermal efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels significantly declines under high operating temperatures, particularly in regions with intense solar irradiance. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising passive cooling strategy to mitigate this issue by absorbing excess heat through latent heat storage. This study conducts a comparative numerical analysis of PCM-based passive cooling for PV panels across three distinct Montenegrin cities with varied climatic profiles: Podgorica, Nikšić, and Pljevlja. A one-dimensional transient thermal model incorporating an enthalpy-based approach is used to simulate panel temperatures over a full year. Results indicate that PCM integration yields variable efficiency gains depending on local temperature and solar irradiance. Economic analysis further reveals that the payback period for PCM integration depends on location-specific electricity production gains and energy pricing. These findings highlight the climate-sensitivity of PCM cooling performance and support localized design strategies for maximizing PV efficiency in Montenegro.