Advances in Solar Technologies

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced solar technologies are emerging as key renewable technologies to address the world’s growing demand for energy and environmental issues. This Special Issue is intended to give a platform to a wide range of researchers to share a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge and innovative ideas, novel design concepts, technology development, optimization of materials and devices, system integration, performance optimization using simulation tools, and experimental analysis that are being pursued to develop solar technologies and systems, as well as related interdisciplinary research areas such as solar drying, space heating, dehumidification, desalination, refrigeration, thermal and electrical storage, etc. The latest research on the topic will provide the readers with novel ideas and methods for devising next-generation solutions for solar technologies to practical applications. We welcome both original research and review articles.

Related topics include but are not limited to:

• Advances in solar photovoltaic technologies;
• Advances in solar thermal systems;
• Novel materials and devices for solar technologies;
• Hybrid solar technologies;
• Solar-based heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems;
• Energy storage technologies;
• Direct and indirect solar drying systems;
• Solar distillation and desalination;
• Solar cooking system;
• Modeling and simulations for solar-based systems;
• Techno-economic analysis.

Dr. Jayanta Deb Mondol
Prof. Dr. Annamaria Buonomano
Dr. Biplab Das
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.2	5.5	2008	16.1 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Entropy entropy	2.7	4.7	1999	20.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Photonics photonics	2.4	2.3	2014	15.5 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Technologies technologies	3.6	5.5	2013	19.7 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Thermo thermo	-	-	2021	23.2 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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All Energies Entropy Photonics Technologies Thermo

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42 pages, 6303 KiB  

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Nanofluids-PCMs Integrated Solutions for Solar Thermal Heat Transfer Enhancement Purposes

by José Pereira, Reinaldo Souza, António Moreira and Ana Moita

Technologies 2023, 11(6), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11060166 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

The current review offers a critical survey on published studies concerning the simultaneous use of PCMs and nanofluids for solar thermal energy storage and conversion processes. Also, the main thermophysical properties of PCMs and nanofluids are discussed in detail. On one hand, the [...] Read more.

The current review offers a critical survey on published studies concerning the simultaneous use of PCMs and nanofluids for solar thermal energy storage and conversion processes. Also, the main thermophysical properties of PCMs and nanofluids are discussed in detail. On one hand, the properties of these types of nanofluids are analyzed, as well as those of the general types of nanofluids, like the thermal conductivity and latent heat capacity. On the other hand, there are specific characteristics of PCMs like, for instance, the phase-change duration and the phase-change temperature. Moreover, the main improvement techniques in order for PCMs and nanofluids to be used in solar thermal applications are described in detail, including the inclusion of highly thermal conductive nanoparticles and other nanostructures in nano-enhanced PCMs and PCMs with extended surfaces, among others. Regarding those improvement techniques, it was found that, for instance, nanofluids can enhance the thermal conductivity of the base fluids by up to 100%. In addition, it was also reported that the simultaneous use of PCMs and nanofluids enhances the overall, thermal, and electrical efficiencies of solar thermal energy storage systems and photovoltaic-nano-enhanced PCM systems. Finally, the main limitations and guidelines are summarized for future research in the technological and research fields of nanofluids and PCMs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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12 pages, 2917 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Light-Trapping Character of Pit Arrays on the Surface of Solar Cells

by Baohua Zhu, Le Chen, Song Ye and Wei Luo

Photonics 2023, 10(7), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10070855 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 851

Abstract

Surfaces with light-trapping structures are widely used in solar cells to enhance light capturing and to transform efficiency. The study of light-trapping character is important for light-trapping structures in solar cells. In the present study, the light-trapping character for the regular hemisphere pit [...] Read more.

Surfaces with light-trapping structures are widely used in solar cells to enhance light capturing and to transform efficiency. The study of light-trapping character is important for light-trapping structures in solar cells. In the present study, the light-trapping character for the regular hemisphere pit arrays (RHPAs) in solar cells was intensively investigated in terms of reducing light reflection, suppressing light escape, and increasing the length of the optical path. Results show that the RHPAs can decrease surface reflectivity by ~54% compared with the plane structure, and can reflect ~33% of the light that has not been absorbed back into the absorption layer of the solar cell. The total optical path of the cell with the RHPAs structure remarkably increased from 2ω to 4ω. To verify the theoretical research conclusions, we produced the glass structure samples with different aspect ratios by using micro/nanometer-processing technology. The reflection ratios for silicon wafers covered by plane and RHPAs glass samples were tested. The test results were compared with the theoretical calculation results, which showed consistency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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23 pages, 4385 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic Assessment of CPVT Spectral Splitting Technology: A Case Study on Saudi Arabia

by Cesar Lucio, Omar Behar and Bassam Dally

Energies 2023, 16(14), 5392; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16145392 - 14 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1023

Abstract

Concentrating PV thermal (CPVT) collector with spectral splitting technology is a promising solution for heat and electricity production. To extend the use of this technology, a novel and cost-effective CPVT collector for harsh environments, such as those in Saudi Arabia, is presented and [...] Read more.

Concentrating PV thermal (CPVT) collector with spectral splitting technology is a promising solution for heat and electricity production. To extend the use of this technology, a novel and cost-effective CPVT collector for harsh environments, such as those in Saudi Arabia, is presented and evaluated using theoretical energy, economy, and environmental analysis. Two questions are answered in this study, namely: which is the best operation strategy, and which is the best energy storage technology for CPVT. The potential of using a CPVT under the climate conditions of six cities in Saudi Arabia is also evaluated. It is found that a heat/electricity production strategy and a thermal energy storage are the most suitable for the CPVT technology. The economic assessment shows a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $0.0847/kWh and a levelized cost of heat (LCOH) of $0.0536/kWh when water is used as a spectral filter, and a LCOE of $0.0906/kWh and a LCOH of $0.0462/kWh when ZnO nanoparticles are added. The CO₂-equivalent emissions in a 20 MW CPVT plant are cut from 5675 tonnes to 7822 tonnes per year for Saudi Arabian weather and present power generation conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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21 pages, 5074 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

An Improved Photovoltaic Module Array Global Maximum Power Tracker Combining a Genetic Algorithm and Ant Colony Optimization

by Kuo-Hua Huang, Kuei-Hsiang Chao and Ting-Wei Lee

Technologies 2023, 11(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11020061 - 20 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1597

Abstract

In this paper, a hybrid optimization controller that combines a genetic algorithm (GA) and ant colony optimization (ACO) called GA-ACO algorithm is proposed. It is applied to a photovoltaic module array (PVMA) to carry out maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This way, under [...] Read more.

In this paper, a hybrid optimization controller that combines a genetic algorithm (GA) and ant colony optimization (ACO) called GA-ACO algorithm is proposed. It is applied to a photovoltaic module array (PVMA) to carry out maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This way, under the condition that the PVMA is partially shaded and that multiple peaks are produced in the power-voltage (P-V) characteristic curve, the system can still operate at the global maximum power point (GMPP). This solves the problem seen in general traditional MPPT controllers where the PVMA works at the local maximum power point (LMPP). The improved MPPT controller that combines GA and ACO uses the slope of the P-V characteristic curve at the PVMA work point to dynamically adjust the iteration parameters of ACO. The simulation results prove that the improved GA-ACO MPPT controller is able to quickly track GMPP when the output P-V characteristic curve of PVMA shows the phenomenon of multiple peaks. Comparing the time required for tracking to MPP with different MPPT approaches for the PVMA under five different shading levels, it was observed that the improved GA-ACO algorithm requires 19.5~35.9% (average 29.2%) fewer iterations to complete tracking than the mentioned GA-ACO algorithm. Compared with the ACO algorithm, it requires 74.9~79.7% (average 78.2%) fewer iterations, and 75.0~92.5% (average 81.0%) fewer than the conventional P&O method. Therefore, it is proved that by selecting properly adjusted values of the Pheromone evaporation rate and the Gaussian standard deviation of the proposed GA-ACO algorithm based on the slope scope of the P-V characteristic curves, a better response performance of MPPT is obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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23 pages, 6526 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Study of a Magnetostrictive-Based Shading Detection Method and Device for the Photovoltaic System

by Xiaolei Fu and Yizhi Tian

Energies 2023, 16(6), 2906; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062906 - 21 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1096

Abstract

When the photovoltaic (PV) system suffers shading problems caused by different degrees and areas, the shaded PV cells will consume electricity and generate heat, the corresponding bypass diode operating at a certain current will conduct, and a special magnetic field will be generated [...] Read more.

When the photovoltaic (PV) system suffers shading problems caused by different degrees and areas, the shaded PV cells will consume electricity and generate heat, the corresponding bypass diode operating at a certain current will conduct, and a special magnetic field will be generated in space. In this study, a magnetostrictive-based shading detection method and device for the PV system are developed from theoretical, simulation, and physical experimental aspects. This study aims to detect the special magnetic field using magnetostrictive material with a certain response pattern under the magnetic field to detect and locate the shading problem of each module in the PV system. Theoretically, the analysis is carried out from the on–off situation of the bypass diodes of PV modules under different shading conditions and the response mechanism of magnetostrictive materials under the action of the magnetic field. During simulation, the finite element magnetic field simulations are performed for the diode and the series magnetic field coil, and the structural parameters of the magnetic field coil are designed based on the simulation results. After establishing the validation idea of the detection method in this study, the experimental platform is built and the experimental steps are designed. Finally, the feasibility of the method proposed in this study is verified, the detection range of the method is calculated, and the minimum spacing of adjacent magnetic field coils is determined by experimental validation. This study provides a novel magnetostrictive-based detection method, as well as a theoretical and experimental basis, for identifying and localizing PV system shading problems, and discusses the feasibility of shading detection at the system level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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10 pages, 7520 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Simulation and Experimental Evaluation of a Refractive-Reflective Static Solar Concentrator

by Guillermo Luque-Zuñiga, Rubén Vázquez-Medina, G. Ramos-López, David Alejandro Pérez-Márquez and H. Yee-Madeira

Energies 2023, 16(3), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031071 - 18 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1100

Abstract

Static solar devices have advantages over solar tracking systems. In pure reflective systems, solar reception is limited by the entry angle of the reflector. Many reflective systems are based on mirror Compound Parabolic Concentrators. The solar collection can be improved by placing a [...] Read more.

Static solar devices have advantages over solar tracking systems. In pure reflective systems, solar reception is limited by the entry angle of the reflector. Many reflective systems are based on mirror Compound Parabolic Concentrators. The solar collection can be improved by placing a lens on top of the reflector. In this work, a static system is proposed, consisting of a mirror funnel concentrator with a prism on top. The system is designed using ray-tracing software and is subsequently built and experimentally evaluated. The system designed for an effective concentration factor of 4× reaches an effective concentration of 3.2× at 11:30 a.m. and has an acceptance angle of 60°. Considering the time interval from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the system harvests 30.7% more energy than the flat surface. If the time interval considered is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the increase in harvest is ∼77%. The incorporation of the prism represents an increase of ∼6% compared to the bare reflective system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Solar Technologies)

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