The long-term reliance of humanity on fossil fuels, along with the rapid growth in energy demand, has placed the world in a serious crisis, making an immediate transition to renewable energy sources essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Solar energy has gained a prominent position due to its dynamism and scalability. However, the increase in the operating temperature of photovoltaic modules leads to efficiency degradation and a reduction in their service life. In this context, passive cooling using PCM is considered a promising approach. The present study was conducted through a systematic search of reputable databases (such as ScienceDirect and IEEE) over the period from 2020 to 2025. Following the screening process, 76 sources, including review and research articles in areas such as shape stabilization and microencapsulation, were analyzed, and 16 representative studies were selected for quantitative comparison. This review focuses on the type of PCM, their integration methods, and their impact on temperature reduction and efficiency enhancement of photovoltaic systems. The results indicate that the use of high-thermal-conductivity composites, the integration of PCM with structures such as fins or thermosyphons, and multi-compartment designs improve thermal performance, although challenges such as material leakage and economic considerations remain and require attention in future developments of these technologies.