Researchers at Penn State University in the United States have created a hybrid energy system prototype that integrates solar cells for electricity generation and radiative cooling for external cooling.

Radiative cooling occurs when an object's surface absorbs less radiation from the atmosphere than it releases. As a result, the surface loses heat and the cooling effect can be achieved without the need for electricity.

"The photovoltaic power generated by the dual system can be used either for energy storage or converted to alternating current by an inverter," the scientists said, "the low temperatures obtained on the transparent radiant cooler can be used to cool air or liquid, which can be driven by a fan or pump respectively to interact with the thermal system to save energy."

The system consists of a transparent low-iron glass radiant cooler capable of transmitting 91% of sunlight, a transparent infrared opaque layer, and a 125 mm × 125 mm cross-back contact (IBC) photovoltaic cell supplied by US manufacturer Maxeon. There is no direct radiant heat exchange between the radiant cooler and the photovoltaic unit.