A giant electrocaloric effect (0.48 K V⁻¹) was observed in 300 nm sol-gel PbZr₀.₉₅Ti₀.₀₅O₃ thin films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 222°C. This effect is significantly larger than previously reported in bulk samples, such as Pb₀.₉₉Nb₀.₀₂(Zr₀.₇₅Sn₀.₂₀Ti₀.₀₅)₀.₉₈O₃, where the effect was only 0.003 K V⁻¹. The study resolves the controversy over macroscopic models of the electrocaloric effect and may inspire ab initio calculations of electrocaloric parameters, leading to targeted searches for new materials. The electrocaloric effect in ferroelectrics was first observed in the 1950s-70s but has not been commercially exploited. The effect is strongest near phase transitions, and previous studies showed small effects in bulk samples. The current study demonstrates a giant effect in thin films, which could outperform Peltier or magnetocaloric coolers. The results suggest that the effect occurs both above and below the Curie temperature, with a larger effect above. The study also discusses a solid-state device concept for electrical refrigeration, which uses thermoelectric heat switches to separate the electrocaloric element from the heat source and sink. This design allows for efficient cooling over a wide temperature range. The study also highlights the potential of the electrocaloric effect for cooling electronic components and recovering electrical power from waste heat. The electrocaloric effect was measured using electrical hysteresis measurements and dielectric constant and loss tangent measurements. The results show a significant increase in the electrocaloric effect near the Curie temperature, with a peak value of 12°C in 25 V (0.48 K V⁻¹) at 226°C. This is much larger than previous results in bulk samples. The study also shows that the effect persists both above and below the Curie temperature, unlike some macroscopic models. The study concludes that the electrocaloric effect in PbZr₀.₉₅Ti₀.₀₅O₃ thin films has the potential to be used in efficient solid-state heat pumps and may inspire new materials and theoretical insights into ferroelectrics. The results also suggest that the effect could be used for cooling electronic components and recovering electrical power from waste heat.A giant electrocaloric effect (0.48 K V⁻¹) was observed in 300 nm sol-gel PbZr₀.₉₅Ti₀.₀₅O₃ thin films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 222°C. This effect is significantly larger than previously reported in bulk samples, such as Pb₀.₉₉Nb₀.₀₂(Zr₀.₇₅Sn₀.₂₀Ti₀.₀₅)₀.₉₈O₃, where the effect was only 0.003 K V⁻¹. The study resolves the controversy over macroscopic models of the electrocaloric effect and may inspire ab initio calculations of electrocaloric parameters, leading to targeted searches for new materials. The electrocaloric effect in ferroelectrics was first observed in the 1950s-70s but has not been commercially exploited. The effect is strongest near phase transitions, and previous studies showed small effects in bulk samples. The current study demonstrates a giant effect in thin films, which could outperform Peltier or magnetocaloric coolers. The results suggest that the effect occurs both above and below the Curie temperature, with a larger effect above. The study also discusses a solid-state device concept for electrical refrigeration, which uses thermoelectric heat switches to separate the electrocaloric element from the heat source and sink. This design allows for efficient cooling over a wide temperature range. The study also highlights the potential of the electrocaloric effect for cooling electronic components and recovering electrical power from waste heat. The electrocaloric effect was measured using electrical hysteresis measurements and dielectric constant and loss tangent measurements. The results show a significant increase in the electrocaloric effect near the Curie temperature, with a peak value of 12°C in 25 V (0.48 K V⁻¹) at 226°C. This is much larger than previous results in bulk samples. The study also shows that the effect persists both above and below the Curie temperature, unlike some macroscopic models. The study concludes that the electrocaloric effect in PbZr₀.₉₅Ti₀.₀₅O₃ thin films has the potential to be used in efficient solid-state heat pumps and may inspire new materials and theoretical insights into ferroelectrics. The results also suggest that the effect could be used for cooling electronic components and recovering electrical power from waste heat.