Improving Thermal and Electrical Performance of PV Panels Using Leaf Vein Fins

The electrical performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is strongly dependent on operating temperature, with elevated cell temperatures causing significant efficiency losses. Passive air-cooled heat sinks offer a sustainable alternative to active cooling systems; however, identifying fin geometries that maximise heat dissipation remains a key challenge. This study numerically investigates the thermal and electrical performance of PV panels integrated with leaf vein–inspired fins in four configurations: parallel-I (PAR-I), parallel-II (PAR-II), pinnate (PIN), and reticulate (RET). Three-dimensional CFD simulations were conducted using ANSYS Fluent to evaluate the effects of fin spacing (0.02–0.07 m), height (0.02–0.07 m), and thickness (0.002–0.007 m). All leaf vein fin configurations significantly enhanced heat dissipation compared with the uncooled PV panel. Among the investigated designs, the RET configuration provided the most effective cooling due to its branched geometry. The optimal RET geometry, 0.03 m spacing, 0.05 m height, and 0.006 m thickness, achieved a maximum temperature reduction of approximately 33.6 °C relative to the uncooled panel and increased PV efficiency from 12.04% to 14.19%, corresponding to a relative improvement of about 18%. These findings demonstrate that leaf vein–inspired fin architectures provide an effective, low-cost, and maintenance-free solution for passive thermal management of PV systems operating in hot climates. The associated efficiency gains also imply potential economic savings and reduced CO2 emissions under hot-climate operating conditions.