Solar Energy Applications Research Articles

Advancements in Fresnel Lens Technology across Diverse Solar Energy Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Concentration of solar energy may be obtained by reflection, refraction, or a combination of the two. The collectors of a reflection system are designed to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a photovoltaic cell or steam tube. Refractive lenses concentrate light by having it travel through the lens. The sun’s rays are partially reflected and then refracted via a hybrid technique. Hybrid focus techniques have the potential to maximize power output. Fresnel lenses are an efficient tool for concentrating solar energy, which may then be used in a variety of applications. Development of both imaging and non-imaging devices is occurring at this time. Larger acceptance angles, better concentration ratios with less volume and shorter focal length, greater optical efficiency, etc., are only some of the advantages of non-imaging systems over imaging ones. This study encompasses numerical, experimental, and numerical and experimental studies on the use of Fresnel lenses in various solar energy systems to present a comprehensive picture of current scientific achievements in this field. The framework, design criteria, progress, and difficulties are all dissected in detail. Accordingly, some recommendations for further studies are suggested.

Investigation of Solar Energy Applications with Design and Implementation of Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal System for Qatar

The objective of this paper is to promote the use of solar energy in powering traffic signal systems for rural areas in Qatar with no power grid. A photovoltaic system is needed in order to use this energy continuously. The results of the investigation of components, design, and market availability are shown in the paper. Solar cells, which are used for absorbing sunlight and generating electric current, are the main source for the system’s operation. A charge controller is used to control the flow of charge through the battery and to protect the battery from overcharging and deep discharging. A dc-dc converter is used to regulate the output voltage which depends on the type of dc to dc converter. Lead acid batteries are used as the electric energy storage for the PV system to use electrical energy in the absence of sunlight. The principle operation of the system and the feasibility of using it for rural area with no power grid have been studied. For this project, a mount tracker was constructed that enabled the solar panel to be placed at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degree angles in order to determine which angle and what time provides the optimum voltage. Experimental results for different angles of radiation at different times of the day and different days of the year are shown in the paper.

Numerical simulation and experimental study of new design of PV/T as desalination units

ABSTRACT Other researchers have examined alternative methods for desalinating water in arid regions, focusing specifically on the utilization of solar energy due to its abundance and lack of negative environmental impact. Desalination is one of the many applications of solar energy, and this study proposes a novel approach that employs solar radiation to evaporate brackish and saltwater. By harnessing the heat generated by incident solar radiation on photovoltaic panels, water is able to evaporate under-controlled conditions. This paper is divided into two main sections: the first involves conducting experiments in the laboratory of Najaf Engineering Technical College, while the second entails the numerical simulation of proposed models using COMSOL Multiphysics V. 6.1 software. Previous research has demonstrated the use of heat produced on the back surface of solar cells to generate distilled water by passing non-potable water through a cotton wick attached to the back surface. The new design of the solar active photovoltaic distiller incorporates a solar photovoltaic, wick, and Peltier device. In this study, the Peltier device was employed to enhance the evaporation and condensation processes, resulting in a solar still that integrates the distillation system with the solar panel, thereby increasing productivity per unit area. The experimental and numerical results indicate that model 02 achieves a productivity of 0.827 kg/m2 h, and 0.907 kg/m2 h for flow rates of 2 mL/min and 4 mL/min, respectively. Model 02, which incorporates a Peltier device within a glass container, demonstrates higher productivity across all experimental days, with a maximum daily cumulative productivity of 4355.3 g. Furthermore, model 02 exhibits higher temperatures compared to other modules, with a maximum average back sheet temperature of 78°C in March and a minimum of 55°C.

Investigation of water adsorption characteristics of MgCl2 salt hydrates for thermal energy storage: Roles of hydrogen bond networks and hydration degrees

Thermochemical energy storage holds great promise in solar energy applications, and MgCl2 hydrate salt is considered a promising material for medium and low-temperature thermochemical energy storage. Understanding the adsorption behavior of water molecules in MgCl2 hydrate salts and uncovering the underlying mechanisms are crucial for designing efficient thermochemical energy storage systems. This paper investigated the water adsorption characteristics of MgCl2 hydrate salt utilizing the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method and captured the adsorption isotherm and concentration distributions of water molecules in MgCl2 hydrate salts pores at various temperatures. The results demonstrate that at low temperatures, particularly when the pore size is small (D < 0.8 nm), the interconnected hydrogen bond network plays a crucial role in enhancing the water adsorption capacity of pure MgCl2. As the temperature increases, the influence of hydrogen bond networks diminishes, and their impact on the water adsorption capacity becomes negligible. Moreover, the hydration degrees of MgCl2 salt significantly influence their water adsorption capacity. MgCl2·6H2O exhibits the best water-uptake performance, followed by MgCl2·4H2O, while MgCl2·2H2O displays the worst water-uptake performance. These findings shed light on the adsorption behavior of water molecules in MgCl2 hydrate salt and offer valuable insights into the design and optimization of efficient thermochemical energy storage systems. Such knowledge is essential for advancing the utilization of thermochemical energy storage in solar energy applications.

Statistical inter-comparison study of empirical models to estimate the monthly-average daily global irradiation on tilted south oriented surfaces

Accurate determinations of the global solar irradiation received by a tilted surface during the average day of each month (HG (s, 0)) are a prerequisite in different solar energy applications, particularly in design methods. Validation of empirical models to estimate such values is of paramount importance, given the limited number of solar radiation observation sites and meteorological stations capable of providing the real information. Using the information of global irradiation on horizontal surface (HG) recommended in the Schedule of Conditions System Technologies of Low Temperature (SCT) for 52 Spanish provinces, four solar irradiation models of estimation were investigated: Liu and Jordan [1], Aláiz [2], Klein [3] and the one proposed by Censolar. A comparative study based on the statisticians of the distribution of the calculated information indicates that the values of HG (s, 0) estimated with the model of Aláiz agreed well with the reference dates. On the contrary, the Censolar model has got the maximum diversion.

Electronic Properties of Graphene Nano-Parallelograms: A Thermally Assisted Occupation DFT Computational Study.

In this computational study, we investigate the electronic properties of zigzag graphene nano-parallelograms (GNPs), which are parallelogram-shaped graphene nanoribbons of various widths and lengths, using thermally assisted occupation density functional theory (TAO-DFT). Our calculations revealed a monotonic decrease in the singlet-triplet energy gap as the GNP length increased. The GNPs possessed singlet ground states for all the cases examined. With the increase of GNP length, the vertical ionization potential and fundamental gap decreased monotonically, while the vertical electron affinity increased monotonically. Some of the GNPs studied were found to possess fundamental gaps in the range of 1-3 eV, lying in the ideal region relevant to solar energy applications. Besides, as the GNP length increased, the symmetrized von Neumann entropy increased monotonically, denoting an increase in the degree of the multi-reference character associated with the ground state GNPs. The occupation numbers and real-space representation of active orbitals indicated that there was a transition from the nonradical nature of the shorter GNPs to the increasing polyradical nature of the longer GNPs. In addition, the edge/corner localization of the active orbitals was found for the wider and longer GNPs.

Thermal and power performance optimization of cost-effective solar cells using eco-friendly perovskite materials

In this paper, a novel solar cell is proposed that utilizes a Sn-based perovskite (CH3NH3SnI3) absorber layer and a graphene oxide (GO) hole transport layer. The proposed device demonstrates exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE), fill factor (FF), temperature stability, and environmental sustainability, all while maintaining low cost. Through simulations and analysis using 1D SCAPS, it is shown that the proposed perovskite solar cell (PSC) achieves a PCE of 22.24% and an FF of 83% at 45 °C, with a quantum efficiency exceeding 85% in the visible spectrum. Furthermore, the proposed PSC maintains its performance at high temperatures ranging from 85 °C to 95 °C, in the wake of incorporation of GO and mesoporous carbon. The optimized value of the proposed PSC is then simulated with the inclusion of the microstructural properties in COMSOL Multiphysics and 20.92% PCE is observed. By avoiding toxic Pb-based materials and incorporating Sn-based materials as well as low-cost and scalable elements such as ZnO, GO, and mesoporous carbon, the proposed device minimizes its environmental impact and processing cost. Overall, this proposed PSC shows great promise as a viable option for large-scale solar energy applications.

Modelling solar water desalination system using natural convection

In recent times, solar energy has emerged as one of the most promising energy sources. Numerous scholars and researchers are exploring various applications of solar energy. This presented work focused on solar water desalination system to evaluate its thermal performance in natural convection mode. Three-dimensional Computational fluid dynamics CFD model is built in Comsol Multiphysics 6.1. Numerical model simulations have been carried out by using Heat transfer in Solid &amp;Fluid and Laminar flow interfaces. The surface temperature varies between 19.5℃ and 102℃ while the velocity magnitude was between 0.05 m/s and 0.5 m/s. Variations of the surface temperature, velocity magnitude, pressure, convective and conductive heat flux magnitudes in Solar water desalination system are presented in the discussion section of the article.

The combined application technology of solar heat utilization and ground source heat pump

Energy issues play an increasingly important role in national security and economic development. The country has put forward the policy of building energy-saving and land-saving buildings. The application of the comprehensive utilization of renewable energy in the construction field has gradually become a need for technical progress and industry development. With the official promulgation and implementation of the Renewable Energy Law in 2006, the application of solar energy, geothermal energy, and other related renewable energy in the construction industry has attracted more and more attention. However, the scope of practical application is currently limited to solar energy alone to supply domestic hot water, power generation, or ground source heat pump system heating and cooling. The actual engineering cases of the combined operation of the two are relatively few, and the unreasonable joint operation mode leads to low system efficiency. In this paper, the combined application system of solar heat utilization and ground source heat pump is elaborated and analyzed in detail, from the technical feasibility, system efficiency, and other aspects of the analysis. It emphasizes the necessity and development prospect of the comprehensive utilization of renewable energy.

A high-performance ultra-wideband metasurface absorber and thermal emitter for solar energy harvesting and thermal applications.

Solar radiation is the Earth's most plentiful renewable energy source. Metasurface-based nanostructures can store solar energy efficiently and exhibit consistent behavior when interacting with light waves. This study investigates an ultra-thin, ultra-wideband solar absorber and thermal emitter that operates in the 400-5000 nm spectrum. The proposed structure design consists of a thin MXene monolayer at the top, followed by a nickel-made fractal L-shaped resonator film mounted on a SiO2 substrate. This device achieves greater than 90% of the aggregative absorption over the 4133 nm ultra-wideband region ranging from 867 nm to 5000 nm. Within its operational band, the solar absorber exhibits excellent solar energy storage capabilities under the solar AM 1.5 model curve. Furthermore, the absorber structure maintains a stable thermal radiation efficiency of 94.5-95.5% over the temperature range of 300-700 K. In addition, the physical mechanism underlying the device's ultra-wideband high absorption characteristics is adequately explained using impedance matching theory and the distribution of surface current density at high absorption wavelengths. The proposed structure design's symmetry shows excellent resilience to polarization state variations as well as wide angular stability to maintain high absorption rate. Given all of these advantages, the proposed structure would be highly suitable for solar energy and thermal radiation applications.

Creating Cloud Segmentation Data Set Using Sky Images of Afyonkarahisar Region

The use of sky images in solar radiation intensity estimation has been one of the most studied topics in the literature since it improves the estimation results. The first step in processing sky images with image processing methods is to separate the pixels in the images as clouds or sky. This process is known as cloud segmentation in the literature. In this study, the sky is photographed using the sky imaging system installed at Afyon Kocatepe University Solar and Wind Energy Application and Research Center at times with different clouding characteristics and cloudiness rates in Afyonkarahisar Region. The photographs are divided into 25 parts, and small sky patterns are obtained. The pixels in the obtained sky patterns are manually segmented, and a cloud segmentation dataset is created for future studies. Since the resulting dataset contains high-resolution images and prelabeled data, it can be used to obtain more accurate results for the segmentation process and allows learning algorithms to learn faster. The dataset can be used by researchers in studies such as solar energy forecasting, meteorology, and weather forecasting, and the dataset in this paper will be shared with researchers upon request.

SILAR Deposition of Sns Thin Films for Possible Device Applications

Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) was used to deposit tin sulphide (SnS) thin films on glass substrates at temperature of 450C.Sodium thiosulphateNa2S2O3solution was used as the anionic precursor, tin chloride SnCl2 solution as the cationic precursor and EDTA as complexing agent. The samples were subjected to annealing at the temperature range of 2000C and 250oC). High transmittance values were obtained in both Samples C and D in the UV(70% -72%) and (75% - 89%) respectively atthe wavelength range of (350nm-400nm) which maintains linear characteristics through the visible to near infrared regions (NIR) of the electromagnetic spectrum. This high transmittance implies that it can be useful in the areas of solar energy and opto-electronic applications. The Energy band gap (Eg) is obtained using the relation (αhv)2= A (hv-Eg) where A is constant, hv is the photon energy, Eg is the energy band gap and α is the absorption coefficient. Direct band gap value of 2.90±0.05eV is obtained for sample C while a direct band gap of 2.70±0.05eV is obtained for sample D. The two samples have average band gap of 2.8±0.05eV.

Effect of adjusting orientation for solar energy applications in multiple climatic zones

South-facing collectors are the optimum choice for solar applications in the northern hemisphere. However, obstacles may limit the feasibility of this orientation. Therefore, altering the orientation of the collector impacts solar insolation. In this study, the Perez model is utilized to evaluate incoming solar radiation on tilted surfaces for solar collectors in four climatic zones across Pakistan. The results are presented in contour plots to analyze the optimal tilt and orientation for solar applications. The findings of the study indicate substantial energy gains when collectors are placed at optimum angles. More specifically, Quetta leads with a 14.54% increase, followed by Karachi and Multan at 9.81% and 9.3%, respectively, compared to horizontally placed collectors. Analysis of vertical surfaces reveals a notable decrease in monthly solar radiation, especially in Peshawar (37.22%). Monthly adjustments in tilt angles outperform fixed positions, enhancing solar energy intensity. When comparing yearly adjustments with monthly adjustments, Quetta shows the maximum increase of 5.92%, followed by Karachi (4.86%), Multan (4.01%), and Peshawar (3.65%). It is also observed that ±15° azimuth angle change from the south ensures receiving up to 98% of insolation, regardless of the climatic region. Lastly, the validation against the NASA SSE database further highlights the reliability of our simulation model. Overall, the outcomes of the study will contribute to informed solar energy planning in the studied regions.

Optimization of Solar Power Huts: Efforts to Accelerate Electrifying Agriculture for Farmer Groups in West Plembutan, Gunungkidul

The use of modern agricultural tools is expected to be able to boost the productivity of farming businesses, namely through electrifying agriculture. Generally, in remote areas, it is difficult to provide a source of electricity except by generating electricity from renewable sources such as solar energy. In general, the solution to the problem at hand lies in the transformation to solar energy applications. It is necessary to immediately build a solar-powered electric hut on the land of the farmer group. In its use, this solar power hut will be prioritized to supply the energy needs of irrigation pumps in the dry season. In addition, the availability of this resource will support modern agricultural patterns by utilizing electrically powered equipment and even being able to apply agricultural automation technology. As a result, a solar-powered electrical installation with a panel power of 400 WP with the support of a 12 VDC 200 Ah battery was installed. The total power during the day ranges from 1920 Wh assuming 80% usage. This result is quite helpful for irrigation systems in the dry season. For other low-power electrical equipment applications such as automatic water sprayers, this solar power is very capable.

Prototype Development for Solar Energy Tracking Based on Arduino in QUEST Campus Larkana

The utilization of solar energy has become increasingly popular due to its renewable and sustainable nature. However, one of the primary challenges in solar energy harvesting is the optimization of the amount of energy that can be captured from the sun. The implementation of solar trackers is an effective solution that enables the automatic adjustment of the solar panel's position to face the sun throughout the day. In this project, an Arduino-based solar tracker prototype was designed and implemented to optimize the solar energy harvesting process. The system employs Light-Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect sunlight intensity and a servo motor to adjust the position of the solar panel accordingly. The system was programmed using the Arduino programming language and was tested using a small-scale solar panel. The increasing demand for cost-effective and easy-to-install renewable energy systems has led to a growing interest in photovoltaic solar energy for residential use. To optimize energy production, a two-axis photovoltaic solar tracker that orients the solar panel toward the maximum solar radiation is proposed in this study. The use of Free Computer Aided Design (CAD) 0.15 for the prototype's design, combined with Arduino technology, provides an affordable solution for mounting the solar tracker on flat roofs and other horizontal building elements. The performance of the solar tracker was evaluated under various testing conditions, showcasing an enhanced level of accuracy and energy production when compared to traditional fixed systems. The prototype's successful demonstration represents a significant advancement in the field, providing a practical solution for small-scale and residential solar energy applications. This research prototype was developed and installed on the roof of the Electrical department of QUEST, Campus Larkana, and validated through simulation results.

Improved transition metal photosensitizers to drive advances in photocatalysis.

To function effectively in a photocatalytic application, a photosensitizer's light absorption, excited-state lifetime, and redox potentials, both in the ground state and excited state, are critically important. The absorption profile is particularly relevant to applications involving solar harvesting, whereas the redox potentials and excited-state lifetimes determine the thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum yields of photoinduced redox processes. This perspective article focuses on synthetic inorganic and organometallic approaches to optimize these three characteristics of transition-metal based photosensitizers. We include our own work in these areas, which has focused extensively on exceptionally strong cyclometalated iridium photoreductants that enable challenging reductive photoredox transformations on organic substrates, and more recent work which has led to improved solar harvesting in charge-transfer copper(i) chromophores, an emerging class of earth-abundant compounds particularly relevant to solar-energy applications. We also extensively highlight many other complementary strategies for optimizing these parameters and highlight representative examples from the recent literature. It remains a significant challenge to simultaneously optimize all three of these parameters at once, since improvements in one often come at the detriment of the others. These inherent trade-offs and approaches to obviate or circumvent them are discussed throughout.

Application of Solar Energy to Liquify Beewax

This study investigates the feasibility of using solar energy for melting recycled older combs and capping wax byproducts to create raw beeswax. The solar-driven beeswax melter is composed of a stainless steel container, a lean-to structure featuring polycarbonate sheet covers, a wooden solar heater, and parallel arrays of PV solar panels. The research contrasts three distinct approaches for melting beeswax: the conventional water bath technique, exclusive reliance on solar energy for melting, and the combination of solar energy and supplementary heat from solar panels. The traditional water bath method's effectiveness and the bulk temperature of the liquified beeswax were gauged. In the case of the solar-powered wax melting setups, the process's efficiency, the melted wax's bulk temperature, and various macroclimatic factors such as sunlight radiation, temperature, and relative humidity were documented. Based on the experimental outcomes, the beeswax melting efficiency was determined to be 73.4% for the traditional water bath method, whereas it escalated to 85.5% and 87.2% for the solar approaches, respectively. Hence, the utilization of solar techniques for beeswax melting is recommended.

Excellent Absorption of LaCoxO3 Over Full Solar Spectrum and Direct Photothermal Energy Storage of Ca(OH)2–LaCoxO3

Abstract: Photothermal conversion is a vital way for solar energy applications. The strong absorption of near Infrared light is essential for excellent photothermal performance. In this study, we demonstrated that nano LaCoxO3 is able to harvest light intensely across the full solar spectrum with high photothermal temperature. A core-shell-like structure of LaCoxO3-coated Ca(OH)2 particles was fabricated and shows excellent photothermal conversion, high kinetics of dehydration and remarkable cycle stability of heat storage and release. The photothermal dehydration-conversion of Ca(OH)2 increases 8.4-fold. Results demonstrate the multifunctionality of LaCoxO3, intensifying light harvesting, high photothermal conversion, good stability, considerable strength, and porous framework favouring the performance of photothermal storage and release cycles. LaCoxO3–Ca(OH)2 composite can simultaneously harvest light and store thermal energy.

Optimization DC-DC boost converter of BLDC motor drive by solar panel using PID and firefly algorithm

The use of solar photovoltaic panels as source of power for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors requires a DC-DC Converter circuit. One application of solar energy is as a power source for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors. The main problem is the voltage fluctuation and low DC voltage generated by the solar panel. This research aims to improve the performance of the DC-DC Boost Converter circuit and minimize voltage fluctuations. The methodology encompasses mathematical modeling of the circuit in the form of transfer functions and optimizing the DC-DC Boost Converter circuit using the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller and the Firefly algorithm. Simulation testing results indicate an improvement in transient response performance of the DC-DC Converter circuit as a driver for the BLDC motor. This is evidenced by an increase in rise time from 499 s to 820 s, a decrease in settling time from 3.33 e+03 s to 2.07e+03 s, and a reduction in overshoot to 0 % from previously 11.4 %. The utilization of the firefly algorithm in optimization significantly enhances system efficiency, as demonstrated by faster achievement of stability without excessive oscillation and a reduction in the time required for the system to settle. Overall, this study shows that the firefly algorithm is effective in developing DC-DC Boost Converter circuits, improving system efficiency by reducing settling time and eliminating overshoot. These findings provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of using artificial intelligence algorithms in enhancing the operational efficiency of energy conversion systems.

Design and Performance Analysis of an Air-Based Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector in Winter

The most basic needs of the buildings in which we spend almost all of our time are electricity and heat demands. Especially in cold climatic regions, it is very important that both electrical energy and heating energy demand are met through the same system. The use of photovoltaic (PV), is increasing rapidly. Photovoltaic panels can transform solar energy into electrical energy with less than 20% performance. Photovoltaic-thermal(PV/T) collectors which can be mounted on facades of buildings or used as building envelopes, are one of the solar energy applications. With this collector, both electric energy and thermal energy demand is produced from solar energy. In our work, Photovoltaic panel and some kind of solar air collector have been taken into consideration. In order to determine the behavior of the air-based photovoltaic-thermal collector, an experimental setup and a measurement system have been established. The experimental setup consists of this measurement system, sensors that obtain data, and a data storage unit that can transmit temperature, humidity, and radiation data to the computer at the desired frequency. In order to determine the performance of the air-based PV/T collector, the efficiencies of both the PV and the solar air collector were calculated separately. To determine the performance of this collector, calculation criteria’s and model has been determined. When creating this model, the problem has been considered as time-dependent under irregular conditions. The theoretical analysis model, which was established to determine the performance of the air-based PV/T collector, was evaluated according to the winter climatic conditions of Izmir-Turkey.