New research by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has been able to deliver close to 20 percent electricity generation increase by using atmospheric water vapor to cool down solar panels.
This cooling system, considered a new concept in the industry, was demonstrated on a small-scale PV panel.
The team plans to scale it up to the size of a commercial PV panel in the next couple of years.
One of the main issues regarding solar panels were the high temperatures it generates during the daytime, reaching 40 C higher than the ambient air in Saudi Arabia.
According to Dr. Peng Wang, a KAUST professor who is leading the study, this is due to commercial panels, which cannot convert over 20 percent of the solar energy they absorb into electricity.
Consequently, more than 80 percent of the absorbed solar energy is undesirably converted into heat.
High temperatures reduce the panel’s electricity generation, and they further shorten its life span.
By 2025, the global PV-installed capacity is expected to double to 1,500 gigawatts and reach 3,000 gigawatts by 2030.


Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 



