This work aims at analyzing and architecting natural and artificial parameters to model a water-film cooling system for photovoltaic modules for some months under warm conditions. Methodologically, the theoretical and technical aspects were structured to develop, implement, monitor, and assess the cooling system at an on-grid, outdoor testing unit, considering the following: (i) the criteria to select and to approve the implementation site (infrastructure and climatologic and solarimetric conditions); (ii) the types, frequency and qualities of the monitored data; (iii) the system measurement, monitoring and control equipment; (iv) the commissioning of the system as a whole; and (v) the tests and results empirically obtained. The water-film cooling system reduces the temperature by 15–19%, on average, and up to a maximum of 24–35%. In terms of electric power, there was an average gain of 5–9% at the time of day with the highest solar radiation, and maximum gains of 12% on days with solar radiation above average. Regarding gross energy, average gains of 2.3–6%, and maximum gains of 6.3–12%, were obtained. It was concluded that the test unit helps understand the natural phenomena and the development, operation, and maintenance of performance gain systems of on-grid PV modules for construction on a commercial scale.

The goal of this study is to develop units of a photovoltaic (PV) cooling system and evaluate its performance, aiming at commercial electricity production, once the increase in electricity output is obtained by cooling down the temperature of the PV module. The methodology covers the description of production procedures, control and verification of three different models of the cooling system, of which two are sheet‐and‐tube types, with different diameters of coil curvature (85 and 140 mm), and one is a multi‐channel type model. Results show that the production of the two sheet‐and‐tube models presented no issues during their construction and operating phases, while the multiple‐channel model presented some complications at the construction phase (e.g. the thickness of the sheets hampered the welding process, leading to leakages during the tightness tests). The empirical control tests showed that the temperature of the PV module with a cooling system applied remains lower than the nominal operating cell temperature, whereas the PV modules without a cooling system presented temperatures higher than 68.1°C. Thus, the authors conclude that the most appropriate model for large‐scale production applied at PV systems is the coil one, with 85 mm of the diameter of coil curvature.

Technology advancement and population pressures demand that development planning be conducted not only with the techno-economic paradigm in mind but also taking into consideration environmental, political, and social sustainability factors. Projections considering current energy policies demonstrate that global electricity consumption will grow by 84% in the next 25 years. The portion of electricity consumption from fossil fuels is estimated at 63%, still representing a major ?challenge to the energy sector in the coming decades [1]. Estimating supply alternatives for increasing electricity consumption is integral to the development expansion plans of developing nations. The selected countries in this work are part of different social, environmental, political, and economic scenarios. Although the sample of countries is small, it represents a very heterogeneous and comprehensive group. The implications from the review here aim to provide an overview of energy planning around the world.