Optimization of photovoltaic efficiency in arid regions via IoT-controlled jute fabric evaporative cooling

Abstract Purpose: Photovoltaic (PV) modules in arid regions suffer efficiency losses up to $$25\\%$$ due to overheating, while conventional cooling methods consume large amounts of water or energy. This study develops a sustainable, low-water passive evaporative cooling system using jute fabric with IoT-based deterministic control. Methodology: A $$30\\textrm{Wp}$$ monocrystalline module was cooled by three jute layers with $$0^{\\circ }/90^{\\circ }$$ fiber orientation, wetted via a threshold-controlled pump $$(P_{\\textrm{ref}} = 22\\textrm{W}, T_{\\textrm{ref}} = 55^{\\circ }\\textrm{C})$$ . Field tests were conducted in July 2025 (ambient up to $$45.4^{\\circ }\\textrm{C}$$ , irradiance $$848\\textrm{W}/\\textrm{m}^2$$ ). Results: Maximum temperature reduction of $$21.4^{\\circ }\\textrm{C}$$ (28.34%) and relative power gain of $$40.44\\%$$ (absolute efficiency $$+1.5$$ percentage points, from $$15.3\\%$$ to $$16.8\\%$$ ). Water consumption $$0.14\\textrm{L}/\\textrm{h}/\\textrm{m}^2$$ , recovery rate $$81.3\\%$$ , evaporation loss $$0.026\\textrm{L}/\\textrm{h}/\\textrm{m}^2$$ , payback $$< 3$$ years. Conclusions: The biodegradable jute-IoT system enables large-scale deployment in desert climates with minimal water footprint. $$\\mathrm {CO_2}$$ emissions reduction is estimated at $$58\\textrm{kg}/\\textrm{m}^2/\\textrm{year}$$ .