Open-circuit Output Voltage Research Articles

Polyvinylidene Fluoride‐Based Vibration Energy Harvester with Piezoelectric and Electromagnetic Effects

Vibration energy harvesting technology aims to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through piezoelectric effect or electromagnetic induction to supply energy for wireless sensors. Herein, based on polyvinylidene fluoride, a vibration energy harvester who couples piezoelectric effect and electromagnetic induction is proposed, and its performance of energy harvesting is studied from the aspects of multiphysical field, microscale, and energy harvesting circuit. First, a mass‐spring‐damper model is established from the dynamic point of view, and the equivalent circuit models of piezoelectric unit and electromagnetic unit are established from the electrical point of view. Second, the effects of the nonlinear magnetic field, temperature, and microvolume on the resonant frequency and output power density of the energy collector are analyzed by simulation. Finally, a piezoelectric electromagnetic composite energy harvesting circuit is designed and the output voltage rectifying and stabilizing with high electromechanical conversion efficiency is realized. The results show that the harvester realizes the expected functions of inputting alternating current and outputting direct current, with open circuit output voltage up to 6.55 V and output power up to 2.21 mW. This study provides a valuable reference for the research in the field of vibration energy harvesting.

Structural design for wearable self-powered thermoelectric modules with efficient temperature difference utilization and high normalized maximum power density

Flexible thermoelectric generators (FTEGs) show great potential as energy harvesters for wearable electronics by directly converting body heat into electricity. However, the limited temperature difference due to the high fill factor and low TE leg aspect ratio, which determines the open-circuit voltage and follow-up thermoelectric output, hinders application of FTEGs in self-powered wearable electronics. Herein, to realize efficient temperature difference utilization and high normalized maximum power density simultaneously, we designed a flexible device with a nonplanar zigzag π-type structure based on rigid Bi2Te3-based alloys with a much lower fill factor and a higher TE leg aspect ratio than those of commercial TE modules, which exhibits efficient body heat collection performance. Meanwhile, passive radiative cooling and wavy radiator fins were applied as a substitute for traditional metal bulky heat sinks, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation. These structural design strategies endow the generator with a thermoelectric voltage of 22.6 mV and a maximum output power of 75.76 μW from human body heat at 23 °C. Besides, with further optimization, the thermoelectric modules can generate an output power density of 12.36 μW/cm2 and a voltage density of 4.04 mV/cm2 at 23 °C, sufficient to drive some microwatt or sub-microwatt wearable electronics. The ultrahigh temperature difference utilization efficiency and the decent normalized power density suggest that these structural design strategies can be used to efficiently harvest energy in contexts in which there are limited temperature differences, such as human body heat.

Magnetic Force-Assisted Nonlinear Three-Dimensional Wideband Energy Harvester Using Magnetostrictive/Piezoelectric Composite Transducers.

This paper presents a nonlinear magnetoelectric energy harvester which has the potential to harvest vibrational energy over a wide bandwidth in arbitrary motion directions. Three springs with equal intersection angles are adopted to absorb the multi-directional vibration energy. Magnetic interaction between the magnets and ME transducers allows the nonlinear motion with enhanced harvesting frequency range. Very good agreement is observed between the numerical and experimental open-circuit voltage output frequency response curves. The experimental results show that the harvester can harvest vibrational energy in an arbitrary direction, exhibiting a further bandwidth of 5.2 Hz. This study provides a new solution to effectively use the magnetoelectric energy harvester for multi-directional and bandwidth vibrational energy scavenging in the surrounding environment.

Theoretical prediction of output performance of 63NiO-Si heterojunction betavoltaic cell

For the 63NiO-Si heterojunction betavoltaic nuclear battery, the energy deposition of the energy conversion material itself was simulated by Monte Carlo simulation, and the structure of the 63NiO-Si heterojunction was optimized based on the theoretical calculation results. When the thickness of 63NiO is 4 μm and the doping concentration of Si is 1 × 1015 cm−3, the short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and maximum output power density of the nuclear battery are 1.22 μA · cm−2, 3.17 V, 0.95, 3.67 μW · cm−2. In addition, the output performance of 63Ni/NiO-Si heterojunction betavoltaic nuclear cell was calculated in this study. Under the condition that the activity of the radioactive source and the thickness of NiO(63NiO) are the same in the two structures, the proposed structure (63NiO-Si) has greatly improved the output performance of the nuclear battery by reducing the energy lost from radioactive source self-absorption.

Self-powered air purifier with coupling of non-thermal plasma and photocatalytic oxidation for formaldehyde degradation based on triboelectric nanogenerator

The emission of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) caused by indoor decoration and furniture placement are the causes of health hazards in people's lives. Here, we demonstrate a self-powered air purifier for indoor organic pollutant removal based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), coupling non-thermal plasma (NTP) with photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). An adjustable external high voltage field is generated by our homemade TENG, in which the output open-circuit voltage (Voc) ranges from 10 to 30 kV. After connecting the TENG with a non-thermal plasma generator (NTP-G), a maximum ozone concentration of 14.7 mg/m³ and NTP can be generated. The prepared three-dimensional porous framework is used as a photocatalytic layer, which can support more titanium oxide and increase the contact area between the photocatalyst and formaldehyde. This designed self-powered air purifier can reduce the formaldehyde concentration from 2.06 ppm to 0 ppm in 21 min in a 13 L closed air chamber. The design and concept proposed in this work has multiple ways for formaldehyde degradation and are not limited by sunlight, and can remove indoor formaldehyde around the clock, providing an effective way to create a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.

Geometric Optimization of Perovskite Solar Cells with Metal Oxide Charge Transport Layers.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising area of research among different new generations of photovoltaic technologies. Their manufacturing costs make them appealing in the PV industry compared to their alternatives. Although PSCs offer high efficiency in thin layers, they are still in the development phase. Hence, optimizing the thickness of each of their layers is a challenging research area. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the thickness of each layer on the photoelectric parameters of n-ZnO/p-CH3NH3PbI3/p-NiOx solar cell through various simulations. Using the Sol–Gel method, PSC structure can be formed in different thicknesses. Our aim is to identify a functional connection between those thicknesses and the optimum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current. Simulation results show that the maximum efficiency is obtained using a perovskite layer thickness of 200 nm, an electronic transport layer (ETL) thickness of 60 nm, and a hole transport layer (HTL) thickness of 20 nm. Furthermore, the output power, fill factor, open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current of this structure are 18.9 mW/cm2, 76.94%, 1.188 V, and 20.677 mA/cm2, respectively. The maximum open-circuit voltage achieved by a solar cell with perovskite, ETL and HTL layer thicknesses of (200 nm, 60 nm, and 60 nm) is 1.2 V. On the other hand, solar cells with the following thicknesses, 800 nm, 80 nm, and 40 nm, and 600 nm, 80 nm, and 80 nm, achieved a maximum short-circuit current density of 21.46 mA/cm2 and a fill factor of 83.35%. As a result, the maximum value of each of the photoelectric parameters is found in structures of different thicknesses. These encouraging results are another step further in the design and manufacturing journey of PSCs as a promising alternative to silicon PV.

Designer Peptide-PVDF Composite Films for High-Performance Energy Harvesting.

Polymers and peptides have recently been considered as promising materials for piezoelectric energy harvesting because of their biocompatibility and enormous design possibility. However, achieving significant output voltages while meeting environmental safety requirements, low cost, and easy fabrication remains a major challenge. Herein, lipidated pseudopeptide incorporated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composite films are fabricated. Adding lipidated pseudopeptide (BLHA) increases the electroactive phase content, reaching the maximum for the 2 wt% composite film. The composite film containing 2 wt% BLHA manifests the highest dielectric constant and remnant polarization (Pr ), among others. A piezoelectric energy harvesting device fabricated with this film generates open-circuit output voltages up to 23V, five times amplified output compared to pure PVDF. To the best of our knowledge, this material is superior among the peptide-based piezoelectric energy harvesters reported in the literature. The device is flexible, durable, low cost, and sensitive to high and low pressures. It can power up multiple liquid crystal display panels when pressed with a finger. The non-covalent interaction between BLHA and PVDF is the reason behind the composites' improved piezoelectric response. Density functional theory calculations also support this notion.

Modeling and optimization of GaN-based betavoltaic batteries: Comparison of p–n and p–i–n junctions

Nuclear battery is a promising long-life power source. Selecting semiconductors with high limit efficiency and appropriate device structures effectively improves their output performance. In this work, a GaN-based (hexagonal) betavoltaic battery with Ni63 source was simulated by Monte Carlo codes and COMSOL Multiphysics, and the energy converters, including p–n junction and p–i–n junction, were compared and optimized. We analyzed the effects of thickness and doping concentration of each region on the battery performances. The p-region and n-region thickness and doping concentration of the p–n junction-based battery are 0.5, 9.5 µm, 1017 cm−3, and Nd = 1016 cm−3, which can achieve 3.77% conversion efficiency, and the short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, and maximum output power density are 0.074 µA/cm2, 2.01 V, and 0.125 µW/cm2, respectively. For the p–i–n junction-based battery, when the thickness and the doping concentration of p-region, i-region, and n-region are 0.5, 3, 6.5 µm, 1017, 1014, and 1016 cm−3, respectively, the conversion efficiency, short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, and maximum output power density are 5.03%, 0.099 µA/cm2, 2.0 V, and 0.167 µW/cm2, respectively. By comparing the output parameters of the two types of batteries, the results indicate that the p–i–n junction has a wider depletion region and better output performance compared with the p–n junction.

Effective Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Blood Pressure Measurement Based on Wrist Pulse Signal Using Comsol Multiphysics Software.

Among the wearable sensor family, the triboelectric nanogenerator has excellent potential in human healthcare systems due to its small size, self-powered, and low cost. Here is the design and simulation of the triboelectric nanogenerator using the 3D model in COMSOL Multiphysics software for blood pressure measurement. As a reliable indicator of human physiological health, blood pressure (BP) has been utilized in more and more cases to predict and diagnose potential diseases and the dysfunction caused by hypertension. The main focus of this study is to prognosis and preserve human health against BP. It is one of the significant challenges in predicting and diagnosing BP in the human lifestyle. The self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator can diagnose BP using the wrist pulse pressure. To optimize the performance of the modeled triboelectric nanogenerator, the known wrist pulse pressure is applied explicitly, which converts the applied pressure into an equivalent electrical signal across the output terminals. An output open circuit voltage for the applied pulse pressure is 26 V. The generated output electrical signal is proportional to the applied pulse pressure, which is used to know the BP range. It ensures that the triboelectric nanogenerator is an opted sensor to sense the minute nadi pressure signal. This work validates that the simulated model has the potential to act as several health care monitors such as respiratory rate, heart rate, glucose range, joint motion sensing, gait, and CO2 detectors.

Ferroelectricity-Coupled 2D-MXene-Based Hierarchically Designed High-Performance Stretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

Triboelectric nanogenerators based on the state-of-the-art functional materials and device engineering provide an exciting platform for future multifunctional electronics, but it remains challenging to realize due to the lack of in-depth understanding on the functional properties of nanomaterials that are compatible with microstructural engineering. In this study, a high-performance stretchable (∼60% strain) triboelectric nanogenerator is demonstrated via an interlocked microstructural device configuration sandwiched between silver-nanowire-(Ag-NW) electrodes and hierarchically engineered spongy thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer composite with ferroelectric barium-titanate-coupled (BTO-coupled) 2D MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets. The use of MXene results in an increase in the dielectric constant whereas the dielectric loss is lowered via coupling with the ferroelectricity of BTO, which increases the overall output performance of the nanogenerator. The spongy nature of the composite film increases the capacitance variation under deformation, which results in improved energy-conversion efficiency (∼79%) and pressure sensitivity (4.6 VkPa-1 and 2.5 mAkPa-1) of the device. With the quantum-mechanically calculated electronic structure, the device converts biomechanical energy to electrical energy and generates an open-circuit output voltage of 260 V, short-circuit output current of 160 mA/m2, and excellent power output of 6.65 W/m2, which is sufficient to operate several consumer electronics. Owing to its superior pressure sensitivity and efficiency, the device enables a broad range of applications including real-time clinical human vital-sign monitoring, acoustic sensing, and multidimensional gesture-sensing functionality of a robotic hand. Considering the ease of fabrication, excellent functionality of the hierarchical polymer nanocomposite, and outstanding energy-harvesting performance of nanogenerators, this work is expected to stimulate the development of next-generation self-powered technology.

Nanocomposite based hydroelectric cells: Working principle and production of green electrical energy

Hydroelectric cells were prepared to produce the electricity through the splitting of water molecules into hydronium and hydroxide ions at room temperature. Hydroelectric cells of WO3 loaded SnO2 nanocomposite produce electricity without emission of any toxic gas or by-products. The structural, morphological and hydroelectric properties of the nanocomposites were analyzed by using powder X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectra. Adsorption-desorption isothermal curves, pore size distribution and pore volume were investigated by using Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda technique. Ionic diffusion of the dissociated H3O+ and OH– ions have been investigated by dielectric and dc conductivity measurements of all the samples in dry and wet states. Powder X-ray Diffraction pattern validates the biphasic composite having monoclinic WO3 phase and tetragonal SnO2 phase. Surface chemical analysis and oxygen defect study were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectrum. The uniform grain distribution along with well crystalline morphology was observed by SEM micrographs. Circular cells of WO3 loaded SnO2 nanocomposite samples of 2-inch diameter have been prepared to investigate the hydroelectric properties. The fabricated HEC of 19.63 cm2 area of 10 wt% WO3 loaded SnO2 nanocomposite delivers maximum short circuit current, open-circuit voltage and off-load output power as 655 mA, 0.959 V, 628 mW, respectively. Output power exhibited by WO3 - SnO2 nanocomposite based Hydroelectric Cell is considerable and has appeared as a feasible green energy source.

A "Square Box"-Structured Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Road Transportation Monitoring.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of e-commerce, the transportation of products has become more and more frequent. However, how to monitor the situation of products effectively and conveniently during road transportation is a long-standing problem. In order to meet this problem in practical applications, we fabricated a triboelectric nanogenerator sensor with a “square box” structure (S-TENG) for detecting the vibration suffered by vehicles. Specifically, with the spring installed in the S-TENG as a trigger, the two friction layers can contact and then separate to generate the real-time electrical signals when the S-TENG receives external excitation. The output voltage signals of the S-TENG under different vibration states were tested and the results demonstrated that the peak and zero positions of the open-circuit voltage–output curve are related to amplitude and frequency, respectively. In addition, the subsequent simulation results, obtained by ANSYS and COMSOL software, were highly consistent with the experimental results. Furthermore, we built a platform to simulate the scene of the car passing through speed bumps, and the difference in height and the number of speed bumps were significantly distinguished according to the output voltage signals. Therefore, the S-TENG has broad application prospects in road transportation.

Design of Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Voltage-Down Converters Driven by Highly Resistive Energy Transducer

Electrostatic vibration energy transducers have a relatively high output impedance (RET) and open-circuit voltage (VIN), so that voltage-down conversion is required for sensor/RF ICs. Switched-capacitor converters are the best candidate to create small-form-factor technology and are a low-cost solution because of their capability to fully integrate into sensor/RF ICs. To design switched-capacitor voltage-down converters (SC-VDCs) with a minimum circuit area for electrostatic vibration energy transducers, two steps are required. The first step requires an optimum design of DC-DC SC-VDCs driven by high RET with a minimum circuit area, and the second step requires an optimum design of AC-DC SC-VDCs based on the first step, to minimize the converter circuit area. This paper discusses circuit analysis and design optimization aimed at the first step. Switching frequency, the number of stages and the capacitance per stage were determined as a function of RET, VIN and the output voltage (Vo) and current (Io) to the load, to achieve a minimum circuit area. The relationship between Io and the power conversion efficiency was studied as well. The performance was validated by SPICE simulation in 250 nm BCD technology. An optimum design flow was proposed to design DC-DC SC-VDCs driven by high RET with a minimum circuit area under conditions where RET, VIN, Vo and Io were given. The second design step remains as future work.

A Linear-Arc Composite Beam Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Modeling and Finite Element Analysis.

To improve the output performance of the piezoelectric energy harvester, this paper proposed the design of a linear-arc composite beam piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH-C). First the nonlinear restoring force model of a composite beam was obtained by the numerical simulation method. Afterwards, the corresponding coupled governing equations were derived by using the generalized Hamilton principle, laying the foundation for subsequent in-depth research. After this, a finite element simulation was performed in the COMSOL software to simulate the output voltage, stress distribution, and resonance frequency of the PEH-C under different curvatures. In this way, the effect of curvature change on the PEH-C was analyzed. Finally, the PEH-C with a curvature of 40 was prepared, and an experimental platform was built to verify the correctness of the relevant analysis. The results showed that the resonant frequency of the PEH-C can be changed by changing the curvature, and that the stress on the composite beam will increase after the arc segment is introduced. When the curvature of the PEH-C was 40 , the open-circuit output voltage was 44.3% higher than that of the straight beam.

Performance Analysis of Ship Exhaust Gas Temperature Differential Power Generation

In addition to the use of waste heat from the vessel’s exhaust gas to save energy onboard, reduce the carbon emissions of the ship, and combine the characteristics of ship waste heat, mathematical modeling and testing of ship waste heat temperature difference power generation were carried out in this study. Finally, an experimental platform for temperature differential power generation was established to assess the impact of influencing agents on the efficiency of temperature differential power generation. The results show that the effect of different thermally conductive greases on the efficiency of temperature differential power generation tablets is basically the same. In addition, the rate of flow of cooling water, the cooling plate area, and the heat source temperature have more significant effects on the open-circuit voltage and maximum output power. The results show that the maximum power output growth rate increases with increasing cooling water flow, reaching 8.26% at 4 L/min. Likewise, increasing the heat source temperature enhances the maximum output power growth rate by 15.25% at 220 °C. Conversely, the maximum output power of the temperature difference power generation device decreases as the cooling plate area increases, and the maximum output power reduction rate is 15.25% when the cooling plate area is 80 × 200 mm2 compared to the case of using a cooling plate area of 80 × 80 mm2. Moreover, the maximum output power of the temperature differential power generation device reaches 13.6 W under optimal conditions. Assuming that the temperature difference power generation plate is evenly distributed on the tailpipe of the 6260ZCD marine booster diesel engine, it could save approximately 5.44 kW·h electric power per hour and achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of 0.3435 kg per hour.

Utilizing sugarcane as green transpiration-driven generator for efficient electricity harvesting from seawater

Transpiration-driven electrokinetic generators are fast emerging as an autonomous energy harvesting technology due to their spontaneous and continuous power generation at mild conditions. While biomass materials have enabled the construction of green transpiration-driven generators, current designs are impeded by problems such as low power production, narrow operation conditions, and difficulty in large-scale fabrication. Herein, we mitigate these limitations by creating an efficient, evaporation-driven generator using sugarcane as a unique structural template. Notably, sugarcane comprises of an extensive network of one-dimensional capillary channels that is ideal to promote directional transpiration and streaming processes for power generation. Using seawater as an electrolyte solution, our sugarcane-based generator allows efficient harvesting of electrical energy at room temperature with a high open-circuit voltage (VOC, ~ 470 mV), short-circuit current (ISC, 8.2 μA), and maximum output power (36.7 nW/cm2). These power generation performances are at least 35% better than conventional methods that employ deionized water as wetting liquid, and also excel over wood-based generators and other designs by up to 2-fold and 120-fold, respectively. The sugarcane-based generators can also be connected in series or parallel to modulate their electrical outputs, thereby providing a reliable energy source to swiftly power modern electronic devices. By utilizing sugarcane as a green biomaterial and seawater as an abundant energy feedstock for power generation, our unique approach creates valuable insights to expedite the progress towards distributed, sustainable energy harvesting and the practical valorization of biomass into functional materials.

Vibration detection technology research based on piezoelectric cantilever

This paper studies the vibration detection technique based on the piezoelectric cantilever structure, and analyzes the relationship between the resonance frequency and the structure parameters. Although the output of the electrical signal is too small, it can be used to detect vibration during resonance with the maximum output voltage. A vibration testing device is designed based on piezoelectric cantilever structure, because in the vibration environment of the same frequency the vibration detection technology can obtain larger electrical signals. It can realize the automatic detection of real-time vibration state, and the vibration energy can charge the power supply through the energy storage circuit. Through the experimental method to verify relationship between the output voltage of piezoelectric cantilever beam, mass block, piezoelectric cantilever structure parameters and frequency, the experimental value of resonance frequency is very close with theoretical calculation value. The experimental resonant frequency of the designed piezoelectric cantilever beam is 16.5 Hz, which is slightly lower than the theoretical value of resonant frequency of 17.6 Hz, and the peak value of the piezoelectric output open-circuit voltage is 7.1 V.

A method for improving the betavoltaic cell’s conversion efficiency: Using the alloy as Schottky metal

Under the irradiation of a 63Ni source, the Al/diamond Schottky barrier diode and 2198 Al–Li alloy/diamond Schottky barrier diode can convert decay energy into electrical energy. Through the Monte Carlo method, the energy depositions of the 63Ni source in the energy converters are simulated separately. And then the electrical output properties of two betavoltaic batteries are calculated and compared. The short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, fill factor and maximum output power density of the Al/diamond and 2198 Al–Li alloy/diamond Schottky barrier batteries are 0.086 μA/cm2, 2.14 V, 0.93, 0.17 μW/cm2 and 0.089 μA/cm2, 2.66 V, 0.95, 0.22 μW/cm2, respectively. The maximum output power increased by about 29%, which indicates that using alloy as Schottky metal can significantly improve the output performance of a betavoltaic battery.

Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Laser-Controlled Explosion-Initiating Device with Integrated Safe-and-Arm, EMP-Resistant, and Fast-Acting Technology Based on Photovoltaic Power Converter.

To augment the intelligence and safety of a rocket or ammunition engine start, an intelligent initiation system needs to be included in the data link. A laser-controlled intelligent initiation system with inherent safety and a laser-controlled explosion-initiating device (LCEID) incorporating electromagnetic pulse (EMP) resistant, safe-and-arms fast-acting modular device based on photovoltaic power converter technology is designed and fabricated in this work. LCEID is an integrated multi-function module consisting of the optical beam expander, GaAs photovoltaic (PV) array, safe-and-arms integrated circuit, and low-energy initiator. These components contribute to EMP resistance, fast-acting, safe-and-arm, and reliable firing, respectively. To achieve intelligent initiation, each LCEID has a unique “identification information” and a “broadcast address” embedded in integrated-circuit read-only memory (ROM), which is controlled by encoded laser addressing. The GaAs PV array was investigated to meet the low-energy initiator firing voltage requirements. Experimental results show that the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and maximum power output of the four-junction GaAs PV array illuminated by a 5.5 W/cm2 laser beam were 220 mA, 21.5 V, and 3.70 W, respectively. When the voltage of the 22 μF energy storage capacitor exceeds 20 V, the laser charging time is found to be shorter than 2.5 s. Other aspects of LCEID, such as laser energy coupling efficiency, the firing process, and the energy-boosting mechanism, were explored. Measurements show that the coupling efficiency of the micro lens with a radius of curvature D = 20 μm and size of r = 50 μm reaches a maximum of 93.5%. Furthermore, for more than 18 V charge voltage, the LCEID is found to perform reliably. The fabricated LCEID demonstrated a high level of integration and intrinsic safety, as well as a finely tailored initiation performance that could be useful in military applications.

Solar Photovoltaics Integrated With Hydrated Salt-Based Phase Change Material

Abstract Maintaining the temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) panel within the described standard helps in achieving higher power conversion efficiency. To regulate the PV temperature, phase change material (PCM)-based cooling techniques have been proposed in several literature. However, most of the studies utilize organic PCMs whose low thermal conductivity confines their potential. Thus, in the proposed work, the rear side of the 20 Wp PV panel is coated with hydrated salt-based PCM and is integrated with an aluminum sheet (PV–PCM–Al) to increase the thermal conductivity of the system. The effect of the PV–PCM–Al panel in enhancing the PV efficiency is realized by comparing it with a standard uncooled PV panel. This concept was experimented under direct sunlight for about a week in Chennai, the southern part of India. To perceive the performance enhancement, thermal images were taken for both the cooled and uncooled PV panels. In addition, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and power output were measured. The experimentation is also backed up by numerical simulations to understand the heat transfer characteristic features of the designed integrated PCM and aluminum cooling system. The experimentation results highlight that a maximum increase of about 7.67% in the PV efficiency was obtained using a cooled PV panel when compared to an uncooled PV panel. A maximum increase of 7.34% in the open-circuit voltage and a maximum drop of 4.6 °C in the PV temperature were obtained.