Performance Of Solar System Research Articles

The Use of Machine Learning in Predicting Future Environmental Impacts of the ASTEP Solar Thermal System: A Case Study

An artificial neural network (ANN) model developed in MATLAB was used to predict the environmental performance of an innovative solar thermal system, ASTEP (Application of Solar Energy to Industrial Processes) over a 30-year period. The system was applied to the industrial processes of two end-users, Mandrekas (MAND) and Arcelor Mittal (AMTP). The ASTEP system was designed to supply thermal energy up to 400°C and consist of three main components: a novel rotary Fresnel Sundial, thermal energy storage (TES) and a control system. The actual GHG emissions of the ASTEP system and a solar thermal plant as presented in the literature were used to evaluate the ability of the ANN model to predict GHG emissions. The actual and predicted emissions were compared to assess the accuracy of the model. Validation results showed a difference of 2.13 kgCO2eq/kWh for AMTP’s ASTEP system, 2.43 kgCO2eq/kWh for MAND’s ASTEP system and 0.32 kgCO2eq/kWh for a third solar thermal plant. These findings indicate that the ANN model could be considered as an effective tool in predicting GHG emissions for solar thermal plants allowing the industry to evaluate their environmental performance and adopt measures to reduce their impact.

Holographic solar concentrator with wide band using multi-wavelength transmission grating

A multi-wavelength holographic grating using photopolymer is presented for a holographic solar concentrator system. Currently, volume holographic optical elements (HOEs) have been proposed for application in solar concentrators due to their advantages, such as lightweight, selective wavelength, and passive tracking. However, their efficiency depends on the central wavelength, which is determined by both the recording material and the recording angle. In this work, a transmission holographic grating with multiple wavelengths is proposed to enhance the performance of holographic solar concentrator systems. The diffraction efficiency and spectral range are significant factors in determining the concentrated efficiency of solar energy. The optimal efficiency of transmission grating is derived based on the optical characteristics of the photopolymer and the wavelength selectivity is then analyzed to compare the concentrated efficiency. The experimental results indicate that the dichromatic transmission grating with an average diffraction efficiency of 70 % and a wavelength band of 278 nm has a concentrated efficiency of 48.7 %. Compared to monochromatic and trichromatic holographic grating, dichromatic grating can concentrate more energy with a wider spectral band.

Numerical Investigation of Solar Collector Performance with Encapsulated PCM: A Transient, 3D Approach

This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the thermal performance of solar collectors integrated with encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) using a transient three-dimensional (3D) approach. The performance of two distinct PCMs—paraffin wax and RT60—was evaluated under varying operational conditions, including seasonal variations, inlet pipe velocities, and inlet temperatures. The results indicate that paraffin wax exhibits a higher peak temperature, reaching approximately 360 K, compared to RT60’s peak of 345 K, making paraffin wax more effective for consistent thermal energy storage. Paraffin wax also maintained higher fluid fractions, with a maximum of 0.9 in summer, indicating superior heat absorption and retention capabilities. In contrast, RT60 demonstrated a quicker phase transition, fully liquefying at a lower fluid fraction, which is advantageous for rapid heat release. Seasonal variations significantly impacted system efficiency, with the highest efficiency observed in June at 365 K and the lowest in December at 340 K. The study also found that lower inlet velocities (e.g., 0.25 L/s) significantly improved heat retention, resulting in higher outlet temperatures, while increasing the inlet temperature from 290 K to 310 K led to a marked increase in outlet temperatures throughout the day. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing PCM selection, inlet velocity, and temperature in enhancing the performance of solar thermal systems, offering quantitative insights that contribute to the development of more efficient and reliable renewable energy solutions.

Dust resuspension rates in Kuwait: insights from 7Be and 137Cs radionuclides.

Dust resuspension rates in four different landscapes in Kuwait were estimated over a 2-year period using 7Be and 137Cs radionuclides. The average rates of resuspension of particles labeled with 7Be (2 × 10-3 ± 3.9 × 10-4 s-1) were much higher than those of particles labeled with 137Cs (1.6 × 10-6 ± 2.15 × 10-7 s-1), which indicates increased short-term fluctuations in recently deposited dust. Conversely, the resuspension rates for particles labeled with 137Cs were considerably lower, which better reflects long-term variations in dust resuspension. This evaluation approach may provide a foundation for future studies assessing the impact of suspended dust particulates on the performance of solar power systems, in conjunction with other influencing factors like vertical mass flux.

Investigating the performance of water-mounted solar photo-voltaic systems using different simulation tools

Water-mounted solar photovoltaics plants, which include canal-top and floating systems, offer several advantages over traditional ground mounted systems. However, studying their feasibility can be challenging due to limitations in commercial simulation tools. These tools often rely on unrealistic parameters, and studies comparing them have concluded that they may not be suitable for simulating these newer systems. This research addresses the above-mentioned gap by developing improved simulation methods for water–mounted solar plants. The study compared the actual performance of a 1 MW canal-top system and a 732 kW floating system in India with simulations from six different commercial tools. The analysis revealed that PVsyst and SolarGIS were the most accurate in predicting performance for the canal-top system, while PVsol and SolarGIS–Prospect performed best for the floating system. By following comprehensive methodology outlined in this study, minimal Root–Mean–Square error values ranging from 0.74 to 3.33 for the canal-top system and 2.13 to 5.20 for the floating system were achieved for different parameters. These results highlight that accurate performance predictions depend on three factors: the precision of meteorological data, the capabilities of the simulation tool for water-mounted systems, and the tool’s ability to be customized for specific system details. This study helps solar developers and researchers choose the most suitable simulation tools and customize them for feasibility studies. It also helps stakeholders predict the energy output of existing water–mounted systems more accurately, reducing the risk of penalties due to deviations from predicted output.

Experimental study on electricity generation performance of T‐type direct‐expansion solar PVT heat pump system

AbstractFocusing on the electricity generation performance of a direct expansion solar PVT heat pump system, a novel T‐type optimized collector/evaporator was designed. The experiment used refrigerant R410a as the working medium and was conducted under the average winter ambient temperature of 16°C in Fuzhou. Through experimental comparison, the differences in panel temperature, electricity generation, and efficiency under different radiation intensities were tested against traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels. The experimental results showed that the T‐type PVT system exhibited significant advantages under various weather conditions. The back panel temperature was reduced by 12.74, 8.52, and 13.06°C compared to traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels, respectively, and it maintained a stable increase in electricity generation. The maximum instantaneous electricity output increased by 56.6% relatively, and the total electricity generation increased by 9.3% to 14.5% compared to traditional PV panels. The photoelectric efficiency reached 21.54% and 22.6%, surpassing traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels, with measured values relatively increased by 1.7%, 2.38%, and 2.76%, respectively. Economic evaluation indicated that the T‐type PVT system could save on self‐generated electricity costs, achieving savings of up to 386.50 and 210.81 yuan/year compared to traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels. The T‐type PVT system demonstrated clear advantages in self‐generated electricity costs, significantly reducing costs for application scenarios and providing strong support for the practical application of renewable energy technologies.

دراسة عملية لاداء سخان ماء شمسي ذو الدوران الطبيعي المتصل على التوالي

This research paper presents an experimental study on the performance of a natural circulation solar water heater system with two typical collectors connected in series. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the system's thermal performance under different load conditions, including no-load, intermittent, and continuous load. Mean storage tank, solar collector means plate (the left) temperature and thermosyphon flow rate in a vertical tank were measured. Results showed that there was variation in solar water tank and collector plate temperature under load and no-load conditions. Analysis of thermal performance of the system was conducted for each condition. The highest plate temperature (100 ˚C or even more) with no circulation of both collector and load conditions, indicate the high quality of the solar collectors even during the cold season. The collector’s arrangement in series connection is of highest gain in energy and higher storage tank mean water temperature. Several characteristic equations obtained to represent the performance of the present natural circulation system under collector connection arrangement in series. In fact, when large amount of hot water was required for a certain purpose (Industrial sector for example - MSF plant or central heating), multiple collectors are to be deployed in series and in parallel to produce the required amount (quantity) and desired temperature (quality) at the same time. Key words: Thermosyphon solar water heater, storage tank profile temperature, Solar Water Heaters (SWHs), instantaneous efficiency, collector flow factor, collector efficiency factor, collector heat removal factor

Analysing the Performance of Large-Scale Rooftop Solar PV System Using Helioscope, PVsyst and PV*SOL Photovoltaic Simulation Software: As a Renewable Energy Strategy

In Malaysia, government initiatives and policymakers play significant role in creating effective strategies aiming at enhancing the usage of residential, industrial and commercial solar PV systems. However, the most significant barrier to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems is their high installation costs; as a result, numerous studies on PV system modification are now being conducted. Several simulation tools are available for the efficient and extensive integration of solar energy. To predict energy output using climate data and assess performance ration in accordance, such software can be optimized in terms of parameters like PV module number, inverter, tilt angle, and module design structure. The accuracy of these figures fluctuates, though, because climate factors affect how productive photovoltaic systems are. In this current paper, the simulation and design of a 6.9 MW solar power plant in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, have been investigated using three popular software PVsyst v5.06, Helioscope and PV*SOL. This study's main objective is to assess the potential of solar renewable energy sources to produce electrical energy under the Supply Agreement of Renewable Energy (SARE) program using flexible solar system design modelling tools, PVsyst, Helioscope, and PV *SOL. The comparison results showed that Helioscope and PVsyst are considered to be the most dependable software. PVsyst appraised the definite energy production cost with lowermost relative error of 0.12 % and Helioscope estimated performance ratio with lowest relative error of 4.74%. In terms of energy losses, environmental element contributing to the most energy losses where PVsyst recorded 11.1% photovoltaic (PV) loss caused by irradiation and temperature changes. Whereby Helioscope clearly shows that environmental power loss of 8.4% represents the largest portion caused by irradiation and temperature changes. PV*SOL recorded an energy loss of 7.3% due to shading, temperature and reflection on module interface.

Comparative Analysis of Hybrid Geothermal-Solar Systems and Solar PV with Battery Storage: Site Suitability, Emissions, and Economic Performance

Renewable energy integration has become a critical focus in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and diversify energy sources. In regions with distinct geographic features, such as Türkiye, combining different renewable technologies can offer enhanced energy security. This study investigates the site suitability and economic and environmental performance of hybrid geothermal-solar systems and solar PV systems with battery storage across the provinces of Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis, of Türkiye. Using the fuzzy-AHP method, site suitability is evaluated, addressing a key gap in comparing these systems' adaptability to varying geographic conditions. This study is the first to directly compare these two renewable energy technologies in terms of site suitability. The findings reveal significant differences in site suitability, with solar PV systems with battery storage demonstrating broader applicability across the region. The suitable sites (20-100% suitability) cover 1260.82 km² for solar PV systems with battery storage and only 122.18 km² for hybrid geothermal-solar systems. In terms of environmental impact, hybrid geothermal-solar systems exhibit significantly lower carbon emissions, averaging 44.6 kg CO₂/MWh, compared to 123.8 kg CO₂/MWh for solar PV systems with battery storage. Economically, hybrid geothermal-solar systems also outperform with a lower levelized cost of electricity of $0.091/kWh versus $0.254/kWh for solar PV systems. These results highlight the environmental and economic advantages of hybrid geothermal-solar systems, while also emphasizing their limited scalability to regions with geothermal activity. Conversely, solar PV systems, despite their higher emissions and costs, offer greater flexibility and potential for widespread deployment.

Experimental analysis of solar desalination system performance with graphene and graphitic carbon nanopaint-coated solar absorbers

Improving the efficiency of basin-type solar stills is crucial for ensuring reliable access to clean water in areas facing water scarcity. One effective way to increase water yield production is by applying various coatings to the solar still's absorber plate. Using nanocoatings on solar absorber plates increases solar radiation absorptivity and minimizes reflectivity, which helps improve water production. In this proposed work, Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)-based nano paint, graphitic carbon nanoparticles (GCNPs)-dispersed black paint, and conventional black paint were applied to the solar still's absorber plate. According to the study, the GNPs' nano paint resulted in a cumulative solar still productivity that was 48.23 % higher than the GCNPs-dispersed black paint and 10.28 % higher than the conventional black paint. It also revealed that the energy efficiency of solar stills with GCNPs and GNPs nano paint-coated absorbers was 56.96 % and 69.77 %, respectively, while the traditional black paint-coated absorber managed only 39.42 %. The calculated exergy efficiency of these three solar stills was 8.55 % for the conventional black paint, 13.93 % for the GCNPs, and 22.93 % for the GNPs nano paint-coated absorber. This proposed system also has an energy payback period of 1.79 years and contributes to achieving a carbon credit of $994.90 through the market. The cost of distilled water in this system is also 0.016$/L.

A Deep Learning-Based Approach for Identifying Defects in Solar Panels

In the solar energy sector, the task of monitoring and maintaining large photovoltaic (PV) system portfolios is essential for ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Prominent solar energy companies face challenges with their current fault detection methods, which are inefficient and resource- intensive. This paper addresses the critical need for improved fault detection in solar PV systems to maximize uptime and minimize maintenance costs. We employed advanced data preprocessing and augmentation techniques using Roboflow and developed a YOLOv8 segmentation model in Google Colab with GPU. This model was then deployed using Streamlit, providing a robust solution for identifying faulty solar modules. The proposed approach significantly enhances fault detection accuracy, achieving a minimum accuracy rate of 85%, thus ensuring reliable operation of the PV systems. Additionally, the implementation of this model contributes to a 15% reduction in system downtime and a 10% reduction in maintenance costs. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, our solution transforms the maintenance process, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Consequently, this work not only improves the reliability and performance of solar PV systems but also supports the broader goal of sustainable energy through more efficient resource usage.

Improvement of low-cost solar-powered desalination technologies in low-light intensity

Enhancing the efficiency of low-cost solar-powered desalination technologies, such as solar stills (SS), is essential for ensuring continuous access to freshwater in remote, water-stressed areas, particularly during cloudy or rainy days when the performance of conventional SS systems is compromised. This study introduces an innovative stepped solar still design, optimized for ease of operation, maintenance, environmental compatibility, and improved efficiency, especially under low-light conditions. The impact of the inlet mass flow rate on the desalination process was investigated to enhance distilled water production. Light absorption and step hot spot temperatures were further improved by incorporating natural and cost-effective absorbers, such as carbon, and an innovative soil-carbon combination. The synergy of this soil-carbon combination, enhancing light absorption, heat transfer, and storage through increased surface contact during radiation exposure and its distribution during shutdown, led to a 12.8% and 3% increase in distilled water production over the 4-hour test duration, compared to the baseline and carbon-only tests, respectively. This innovative design, combined with the use of a soil and carbon mixture, significantly improves the performance of solar distillation systems. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable, low-cost, and energy-efficient solutions for freshwater provision in remote areas, addressing both water scarcity and energy conservation challenges.

Transient analysis and thermal design of a solar-powered cooling system for an office building: Enhancements using phase change materials and zeotropic mixtures in ejector refrigeration cycle

This study explores an innovative integration of solar energy with thermal energy storage for power production and cooling system support, utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance solar system performance, particularly for the cooling demands of an office building. The cooling load of a target office building in Ardabil City, Iran, is calculated for a typical day. Optimization is conducted using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) to select the optimal zeotropic mixture as the working fluid, aimed at maximizing efficiency and minimizing heat source requirements. The system is designed to meet the needs of a two-story office building. Analysis of photovoltaic modules integrated with PCM under various parameters led to the selection of 25 PVT-PCM units in a series. The total setup includes 730 modules covering 365 m2, achieving a mass flow rate of 2.92 kg/s and supporting a 40 kW cooling load in the Ejector Refrigeration Cycle (ERC). The development of this solar-powered cooling system presents a sustainable, economically viable solution for building cooling. It demonstrates significant advancements in thermal efficiency through the strategic use of PCMs and optimized zeotropic mixtures in ejector refrigeration cycles. The system's scalable design offers a model for adapting to diverse climatic conditions, marking a notable contribution to sustainable building technologies.

An experimental assessment of a solar PVT-PCM thermal management system in severe climatic conditions

Solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors incorporating phase change material (PCM) as an active-passive cooling approach represent a promising solution for thermally managing PV panels. This needs to be experimentally evaluated in harsh outdoor conditions. Therefore, this study examined the electrical and thermal performance of solar PVT systems in comparison to a reference PV panel during six distinct summer days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A thermal camera was utilized to precisely capture the difference in temperature variations between the two PV panels over the study periods and to examine different options for the PVT collector. On Day 3, near noon, the highest solar irradiance of 1019 W/m2 led to the highest power of the PVT, with an increase of 5.75 % over the reference panel. The highest ambient temperature of 47.69 °C was recorded on Day 1 with 901.4 W/m2 irradiance, providing 10.58 % electrical efficiency of the PVT, an increase of 5.9 %. On Day 6, the PVT module was equipped with eight rectangular metal conduits that were filled with PCM with a transition temperature range of 41–48 °C. This simple-to-implement design added additional passive cooling for the system through the exterior surface of the metal conduits, along with the PCM contribution. The PTV-PCM option led to the best performance, with an 8.05 % improvement in electrical power and efficiency over the reference PV and 71.16 % and 81.50 % thermal and combined PVT efficiencies, respectively. The importance of cooling the PV panel in such challenging circumstances was illustrated by the 2 %–3.24 % increase in electrical output for every 1 °C decrease in the temperature of the cells.

Hybrid photovoltaic solar system performance enriched by adaptation of silicon carbide made porous medium

Hybrid photovoltaic solar system performance enriched by adaptation of silicon carbide made porous medium

Analysis of ultra-high concentration solar cells integrated with a confined microjet impingement cooling

The high solar concentration levels result in an intense influx of energy onto the concentrated triple-junction solar cell, leading to elevated temperatures that can degrade the cell’s performance and overall lifespan. This necessitates the development of innovative and efficient cooling strategies to mitigate temperature-induced losses and ensure optimal energy conversion. This study introduces an innovative micro jet impingement cooling system designed for ultrahigh concentrated solar cells, addressing the critical challenge of temperature management under high solar concentration levels. Furthermore, structural modifications were proposed, including reducing ceramic layer thickness to decrease the thermal resistance and using thermal interface materials to improve the cell temperature uniformity. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was developed to evaluate the proposed system’s performance and compare it with the traditional jet impingement heat sink. The model was verified and validated using empirical data in the literature. In addition, the Response Surface Method was employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the system’s behavior under various weather conditions and cooling fluid effects. The results showed that concentration ratio and direct normal irradiance significantly affect the system’s performance. Moreover, the new cooling system maintains temperatures below the recommended operating temperature. Finally, the environmental assessment indicated substantial energy payback time reductions at 20,000 Suns, which is significantly lower than at 1000 Suns. The CO2 emissions analysis shows a marked potential for emissions mitigation, particularly at higher CRs and longer sunshine hours. These insights offer a comprehensive overview of ultrahigh concentrated solar cell thermal system performance, highlighting its efficiency and environmental sustainability in solar energy applications.

Preparation of dodecahydrate disodium hydrogen phosphate shape-stabilized composite phase change materials and their experimental investigation in solar thermal storage and exothermic systems

To alleviate the mismatch between energy supply and demand caused by the spatial and temporal distribution mismatch and weather uncertainty during solar energy utilization, solar energy is combined with phase change thermal storage technology to improve the performance of solar thermal storage systems. In this study, a shape-stabilized composite phase change material with a highly absorbent resin structure is proposed as thermal storage material. This material exhibits a latent heat of phase change of 246.5 J/g, a thermal conductivity of 1.968 W/(m·K), and maintains good stability after 200 thermal cycles. Subsequently, a detachable experimental setup integrating solar energy with a phase change thermal storage tank was designed and constructed. The effects of inlet and outlet hot water flow rates and heat source temperature on heat storage time and the amount of stored water were investigated separately. The experiments show that increasing the heat source temperature during storage effectively shortens the storage time, and that the largest effective amount of hot water is obtained when the exothermic flow rate is 300 L/h. The study's results are significant for broadening solar energy utilization, alleviating the mismatch between solar energy supply and demand, and evaluating the thermal performance of latent heat storage systems.

Reliability and criticality analysis of a large-scale solar photovoltaic system using fuzzy-fault tree analysis approach

Over time, solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems experience a decline in performance and reliability due to various environmental factors. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) can be used to assess the reliability of these systems and identify faults and failure modes that can significantly impact the entire PV system’s performance. However, in practice, obtaining accurate failure probability values for the components of a solar PV system is challenging since systems operate in an ever-changing environment, resulting in a scarcity of data for statistical estimation. This paper proposes a fuzzy theory-based FTA approach to obtain the failure probabilities of the faults more accurately. The Fuzzy-FTA methodology converts experts’ subjective opinions expressed in linguistic terms into a Failure Possibility Score (FPS), which is then converted into a failure probability value. The results of the proposed approach are compared to those obtained through the conventional FTA to assess its effectiveness, applicability, feasibility, and efficiency. Soiling, dust accumulation, inadequate system maintenance, bad system configuration, bird dropping, delamination, improper installation, shading, grounding, and discoloration are the most critical faults and impact on the performance and reliability of solar PV systems.

Impacts of Adding Porous Media and Phase Change Material on Performance of Solar Water Distiller System Under Iraq Climatic Condition: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACTThis current investigation involves an experimental inspection of adding porous medium and phase change material (PCM) above the absorber surface to enhance the performance of a single slope and single basin solar water distiller system. To demonstrate the effectiveness of adding porous medium and PCM, the performance of the modified system and conventional system is compared under similar operating conditions. The system that uses porous medium and PCM is called MSS‐FPP, whereas the conventional system is called MSS‐F. Rectangular fins are fixed above the absorber plate for both models. For MSS‐FPP model, three different types of porous medium (stones, nuts, and black glass balls) are used in addition to paraffin wax filled inside circular tubes as a PCM. The data are collected in November and December 2023 in Mosul City, Iraq. The experiments are carried out under different water depths. The findings confirm that the performance of MSS‐FPP model is better than MSS‐F model by 41.32% (for water depth 3 cm) and 30.61% (for water depth 5 cm). The results also indicated that the water productivity of MSS‐FPP model is higher than MSS‐F model by 41.67% (for water depth 3 cm) and 30.65% (for water depth 5 cm). For MSS‐FPP model, the maximum water productivity and efficiency are obtained when using black glass balls as compared to nuts and stones types, where the highest water temperature and water productivity values are found equal 54°C and 1.01 kg/m2 for water depth 3 cm. The enhancement in the performance of modified solar water distiller system (MSS‐FPP) shows that using a porous medium and PCM has considerable impacts on the evaporation rate, heat exchange, and rate of heat transfer.

Thermal energy storage using phase change material for solar thermal technologies: A sustainable and efficient approach

Over-exploitation of fossil-based energy sources is majorly responsible for greenhouse gas emissions which causes global warming and climate change. To mitigate these challenges renewable energy sources, especially solar thermal technologies, can play a decisive role. United Nations also proposes steps to attenuate the adverse effects of fossil-based energy and climate change through Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7 and SDG8). Solar thermal technologies have seen a huge capacity expansion around the globe in previous decades because of their inherent advantages. However, solar energy faces crucial limitations of fluctuating intensity and time-dependent availability. This decreases solar thermal system performance and makes solar thermal technologies time-dependent. To overcome these challenges, integrating phase change material (PCM) in solar thermal technologies makes a sustainable approach to enhance the efficacy, productivity, and utilization rate of solar thermal technologies. In this manuscript, the sustainable approach of integrating PCM in solar thermal technologies was reviewed. This includes literature on PCMs which covers classification, properties, importance, and limitation. Comprehensive data on the integration of PCM with solar thermal technologies such as solar water heating, solar desalination, solar cooking, solar dryers, solar PV/T, solar ponds, solar chimneys, and solar power plants were reported explicitly in terms of the type of PCM, efficiency and their productivity. In addition, the effect of PCMs integration in solar thermal technologies was analyzed in terms of mitigation of CO2 emissions and economic analysis at different locations around the World.