Solar panels often lose power as they heat up in the sun. A 2020 study titled 'Photovoltaic panel cooling by atmospheric water sorption–evaporation cycle,' published in Nature Sustainability, tested a solution for this: a gel that sucks up water from the air at night, then gently releases it as vapor during the day. Solar cells are more efficient when they stay cool, and at high temperatures a panel's electricity-generating efficiency decreases; existing fixes like fans, water sprays, or reflective coatings typically require extra energy and constant maintenance. The study found this cooling effect lowered panel temperatures by at least 10°C in lab tests. In outdoor field tests in Saudi Arabia over two seasons, this one change increased electricity output by 13% to 19%, according to the paper.
How the gel actually works
