Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Solar thermal and photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into usable heat and electricity through a range of technologies, from flat-plate collectors and rooftop panels to large concentrating power plants that focus sunlight onto central receivers to drive turbines. Improving how efficiently these systems capture, store, and transfer energy is a central preoccupation of researchers, who are exploring approaches such as hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collectors that extract both electricity and heat simultaneously, nanofluids that enhance heat transfer in cooling circuits, and phase change materials that store surplus thermal energy for use when sunlight is unavailable. A persistent challenge is closing the gap between the theoretical efficiency limits of photovoltaic cells and what real-world systems actually achieve under variable conditions and temperatures. Active research directions also include integrating solar technologies into industrial processes and buildings, and conducting rigorous energy and exergy analyses to identify exactly where losses occur and where engineering effort can yield the greatest gains.

Works

77,964

Total citations

805,384

Keywords

Solar Thermal CollectorsPhotovoltaic/Thermal Hybrid TechnologyConcentrated Solar Power PlantsSolar Energy Use in IndustriesPhotovoltaic EfficiencyCentral Receiver Designs