Solar Energy Technologies Research Articles

Photothermal and Photovoltaic Utilization for Improving the Thermal Environment of Chinese Solar Greenhouses: A Review

A Chinese solar greenhouse (CSG) is an agricultural facility type with Chinese characteristics. It can effectively utilize solar energy during low-temperature seasons in alpine regions. The low construction and operation costs make it a main facility for agricultural production in the northern regions of China. It plays an extremely important role in “Chinese vegetable basket projects”. Energy is one of the important issues faced by CSGs. The better climate resources in the northern regions of China make it possible to apply solar energy as a green and sustainable energy source in the production of CSGs. Faced with the increasingly serious environmental problems of the new century, the Chinese government has made a decision and put it into practice to improve the rate and efficiency of solar energy utilization in agricultural facilities. In this paper, we summarize the research on the application of photovoltaic power generation and solar thermal technology in CSGs. The application of these advanced solar technologies has made great progress. With the further improvement of economic benefits and the establishment of relevant support policies and incentive mechanisms, the combination of CSG and solar energy technology will have certain application prospects and satisfy China’s requirements for long-term sustainable development.

An Introduction to Complex Networks in Climate Finance.

In this perspective, we introduce recent research into the structure and function of complex investor networks supporting sustainability efforts. Using the case of solar, wind and hydro energy technologies, this perspective explores the complexity in low-carbon finance markets, defined as markets that direct capital flows towards low-carbon technologies, using network approaches to study their structure and dynamics. Investors are modeled as nodes which form a network or higher-order network connected by edges representing projects in which joint funding or security-related insurance was provided or other investment-related interaction occurred. We review the literature on investor networks generally, particularly in the case of complex networks, and address areas where these ideas were applied in this emerging field. The complex investor dynamics which emerge from the extant funding scenarios are not well understood. These dynamics have the potential to result in interesting non-linear behaviour, growth, and decline, which can be studied, explained and controlled using the tools of network science.

Revisiting energy justice: Is renewable energy technology innovation a tool for realizing a just energy system?

Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is crucial in facilitating the energy transition while promoting a just transition. This paper examines the RETI and energy justice comprehensive indexes for 30 provinces in China between 2006 and 2019. Then, we study the relationship between RETI and energy justice and investigate their mediating roles and asymmetric relationships. Furthermore, we explore the potential of each of five RETI indicators for a just transition. The results show that RETI effectively contributes to distributive justice, procedural justice, recognition justice, and restorative justice and, in general, has a positive impact on energy justice. Moreover, all types of RETI indexes effectively promote energy justice, with wind and solar energy technology innovation having the most notable impacts. Finally, RETI also enhances energy justice by improving green total factor productivity (GTFP). Overall, this study believes that both the Chinese and global governments should actively develop renewable energy technologies, proactively seek innovation, and promote a just energy transition and sustainable development.

Simulating the Energy, Economic and Environmental Performance of Concentrating Solar Power Technologies Using SAM

According to the Libyan government's newly released strategic plan, renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources would provide 30% of the country's power by 2030. The goal of this research is to shed light on solar energy technologies that may be used to generate clean and sustainable electricity. An energy-economic-environmental study of five Concentration Solar Power (CSP) technologies (parabolic trough, solar dish, linear Fresnel reflector, solar tower, and concentrated PV solar cell) was conducted for 22 selected locations in Libya. The Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) was chosen as a reference for identifying which technology would be most suited for each site. The economic estimates include the cost of environmental damage caused by carbon dioxide gas (CO2) emissions from fossil-fuel-powered power plants. This technique allows clean and renewable energy to compete fairly in the global energy market, even in countries that produce oil and subsidize electricity. According to the data, the solar mirror technology in Libya has the lowest LCOE of all the technologies evaluated in this study. The LCOE estimates varied from 0.01 to 0.04 dollars per kWh. The clean energy produced by the solar tower surpassed 100 MW, or about 400.332 GWh. Furthermore, the adoption of clean concentrating solar energy technology avoided the discharge of 4,235 tCO2/year/MWp.

The role of developers in accepting solar energy in Iran: A case study in Golestan province

Iran is one of the largest holders of energy resources in the world and has always enjoyed a special international position in the world in terms of the amount of exports and the extent of available resources. However, the amount of energy consumption in recent years has become one of the most important concerns of the government, and in order to solve it, the government of the Republic of Iran has adopted two policies of reforming the consumption pattern and supplying energy through renewable energies, and specifically, developing the use of solar energy in has taken Meanwhile, various factors such as the market play an essential role in convincing people. Therefore, this research focuses on the social dimension of the issue of energy transfer, considering the human and social factors effective in the adoption of RE, and identifies the social barriers to the adoption of solar energy technologies in Iran (Golestan). This research has been conducted using a qualitative method based on interviews with private sector activists working in the solar energy development market to address the purpose of the research, which is to evaluate the obstacles to the establishment of solar energy technology in Iran from the perspective of market experts. The findings showed that consumers may perceive the need to use solar energy because of the problematic issues arising from the use of non-renewable energy. However, consumers' lack of awareness of solar energy, which is a solution to the problems caused by fossil fuel consumption, the high rate of currency fluctuations, and the government's lack of support for the private sector, are three factors that prevent the adoption of solar energy. Thus, the results of the present study have identified the obstacles to the development of low carbon economy in Iran through the adoption of solar energy. In this regard, all stakeholders including individuals, communities and governments will benefit from the benefits of RE. Since energy transfer studies are classified in one of the three main pillars of small consumer, policy maker or producer and distributor, this research was conducted with the aim of investigating the role of producer or distributor in order to identify the factors affecting it. In this context, it is necessary to examine two other pillars of discussion in future studies.

Investigation of multi-effect mechanical vapor compression desalination system powered by photovoltaic/thermal, photovoltaic-evacuated tubes, and photovoltaic solar collectors: Techno-economic study

Energy and potable water are two serious necessities for human life all over the world. Solar energy can be used to produce potable water at low cost. Multi-effect mechanical vapor compression desalination system powered by solar energy technology could be a solution of the production of freshwater with high performance and low cost. Techno-economic performance of forward-feed multi-effect mechanical vapor compression desalination system powered by photovoltaic/thermal collectors is investigated. The feasibility of using the electrical and thermal energy of photovoltaic/thermal collectors to directly power the multi-effect mechanical vapor compression system is studied. Performance of the desalination system with photovoltaic/thermal collectors as a power source is assessed and compared to another two systems powered by photovoltaics with evacuated tubes and photovoltaics only. The three proposed systems’ mathematical models are built and solved using MATLAB. The impact of changing effects number, compression ratio, and last effect temperature on systems’ performance is investigated. Results showed that the external preheater enhances the system performance as high-grade electricity is replaced by low-grade heat when increasing the number of effects. Multi-effect mechanical vapor compression could be powered by photovoltaic/thermal collectors at a wide range of compression ratios and number of effects but with a limited range of last effect temperature. Coupling photovoltaic/thermal collectors to multi-effect mechanical vapor compression greatly reduces the required collectors’ surface area in comparison to photovoltaics with evacuated tubes and photovoltaics only with specific collectors’ surface areas of 7.36, 10.65, and 11.98 m2/(m3/day), respectively. The highest performance ratios recorded are 28.42 for photovoltaic/thermal collectors, 16.5 for photovoltaics with evacuated tubes, and 12.96 for photovoltaics only. The lowest unit water costs are 4.15 $/m3 for photovoltaics with evacuated tubes, 4.22 $/m3 for photovoltaic/thermal collectors, and 4.31 $/m3 for photovoltaics. Furthermore, replacing electricity with heat reduces energy storage shares of capital cost from 63% to 48%.

Human Resource Training and Development and Adoption of Solar Photovoltaics in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The study aimed to examine the influence of Human Resource training and development on the adoption of solar energy technology in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design targeting the County's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was pilot-tested and refined before final data collection. Data collected was analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. Chi-Square test results confirmed a strong association between HR training and development and solar PV adoption {χ² (2546, N = 152) = 2739.667, p < .05}. Results revealed that HR training and development significantly predicted solar PV adoption, β = 1.739, t (152) = 19.548, p < .05, and stakeholder perceptions significantly moderated the relationship between HR training and development and solar PV adoption in the County. Thus, the study rejected the hypothesis that HR training and development did not significantly influence solar PV adoption. The study recommended that the county leadership allocate more financial resources and solar energy experts for training technicians and artisans.

Influence of Organizational Culture on the Adoption ofSolar Photovoltaics in Climate-Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The study aimed to examine organizational culture's influence on the adoption of solar energy technology in climate-smart agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design targeting the county's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was pilot-tested and refined before final data collection. Data collected was analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. The results revealed a strong association between the organizational culture dimension and solar PV adoption as indicated by the Chi-Square test, χ² (2456, N = 152) = 2422.525, p < .05, while regression revealed that the organizational culture dimension significantly predicted solar PV adoption, (β = 1.686, t (152) = 17.360, p < .05). Given the results, the study rejected the null hypothesis that the organizational culture dimension of strategic leadership had no significant influence on solar PV adoption in the county, the study concluded that the organizational culture dimension elements were important for improved solar technology adoption. The study further recommended that the county develop an organizational culture that appreciates that climate change is a global phenomenon and ensures staff engagement and alignment with the objectives of solar PV adoption for climate change mitigation.

Harnessing Solar Power: A Review of Photovoltaic Innovations, Solar Thermal Systems, and the Dawn of Energy Storage Solutions

The goal of this review is to offer an all-encompassing evaluation of an integrated solar energy system within the framework of solar energy utilization. This holistic assessment encompasses photovoltaic technologies, solar thermal systems, and energy storage solutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of their interplay and significance. It emphasizes the importance of solar energy as a renewable resource and its role in addressing global energy demand and mitigating climate change. The review highlights the significance of advancements in various solar energy technologies, focusing on their environmental benefits, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction and air and water pollution mitigation. It explores the evolution of photovoltaic technologies, categorizing them into first-, second-, and third-generation photovoltaic cells, and discusses the applications of solar thermal systems such as water heaters, air heaters, and concentrators. The paper examines key advancements in energy storage solutions for solar energy, including battery-based systems, pumped hydro storage, thermal storage, and emerging technologies. It references recent published literature to present findings on energy payback time, carbon footprint, and performance metrics. Challenges to widespread adoption are discussed, including cost and economic viability, intermittency, environmental impacts, and grid integration. Strategies to overcome these challenges, such as cost reduction, policy support, energy storage integration, and sustainable practices, are presented based on published literature. By bridging gaps in existing literature, this comprehensive resource aims to equip researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals with insights into forging a sustainable and renewable energy future.

Design and Development of a Conceptual Solar Energy Laboratory for District Heating Applications

The decarbonization of the district heating (DH) sector is receiving attention worldwide. Solar energy and heat pump technologies are widely considered in existing and new DH networks. There is a need to understand the influence of solar energy on district heating experimentally. However, only a few university laboratories are focused on district heating aspects. Further, the concept of such laboratories is not adequately disseminated in the scientific literature. The main objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual design of a solar energy laboratory with a focus on district heating systems. The proposed concept forms part of the preliminary study carried out by a research group at the Tallinn University of Technology. First, a brief literature review on solar energy laboratory development is provided. Then, the conceptual design of such a laboratory is presented, along with a case study. Regardless of project size, the main components of a district heating-based solar energy laboratory are solar collectors, thermal energy storage (TES) tanks, and a control system. The proposed laboratory is expected to serve multiple roles, such as a practical laboratory to provide interdisciplinary courses for students, a research and experimental platform for researchers, and a cradle to achieve the campus green initiative. It is roughly estimated that the thermal energy output from the proposed laboratory would meet around 25% of the heat demand of the institutional building during the summer season (May, June, July, and August). It is expected that the present study will be a reference material for the development of innovative energy laboratories in educational institutions.

Unleashing Sociotechnical Imaginaries to Advance Just and Sustainable Energy Transitions: The Case of Solar Energy in Puerto Rico

A central challenge for energy policy is to simultaneously accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality to tackle climate change while also addressing diverse forms of energy inequality and injustice. In this article, we argue that the public imagination is central to efforts to successfully confront this dual challenge. Specifically, we argue that theories of sociotechnical imaginaries have the potential to be leveraged both to strengthen public support for and engagement in carbon-neutral energy transitions and to identify and catalyze integrated sociotechnical designs and solutions that deliver on both accelerated technological change and just, equitable, and inclusive transitions. To explore these ideas, we present an in-depth case study of an emergent sociotechnical imaginary surrounding solar energy technologies in Puerto Rico. The results of our case study suggest that new imaginaries have the potential both to create powerful public support for renewable energy technologies that can accelerate energy systems change and, at the same time, help illuminate strategies for deploying energy technologies in ways that create meaningful impact and value in people’s lives in diverse communities and thus contribute to making energy transitions more just and inclusive.

Acceptance of Solar Technology by Enterprises in the Mekong Delta Region, Vietnam

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the influencing factors of solar technology acceptance by enterprises in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Method: The research data were collected using the quota sampling method, with a sample size of 292 active businesses in the Mekong Delta: Can Tho City (80 enterprises), Long An Province (77 enterprises), Tien Giang Province (68 enterprises), and Kien Giang Province (67 enterprises). The collected data will be processed using SPSS and AMOS software. The quantitative analyses employed to test the research hypotheses include a reliability test by Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The study has identified five factors that positively influence the intention to use solar technology by businesses, including effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and facilitating conditions. Additionally, the study has shown the significant and decisive impact of intention to use on the behavior of using solar technology. Conclusions: The research findings further validate the suitability of the UTAUT in the field of renewable energy technology. The research results will provide important scientific materials for business managers in the solar energy field and researchers studying the acceptance of solar energy technology.

Ceviz üretiminde enerji bilinçli üretim verimliliği

Innovative cultivation and processing facilities are needed in order for the increased production in Türkiye to be efficient, low energy consumption, and high quality. Therefore, an in-depth analysis of the US California-based walnut producer has been made, which can also be an industrial role model to Turkish producers. The orchard of Chandler variety walnut was 70 decares and contains 17-year-old trees. Fuel consumed by agricultural machines during field operation, the rate of meeting the electricity need from solar panels for irrigation and processing, and the data of the hybrid drying (solar wall-natural gas) which is one of the few agricultural applications samples in the world were recorded for sustainable walnut production. In walnut production, spraying (pesticide) had the highest fuel consumption by far compared the all-year applications. The photovoltaic panels in the orchard met 62.8% of the required energy for irrigation engines. To process 42837 kg of walnuts, it was determined that 18.05% of the daily produced energy by roof-top photovoltaic panels was used. It is presenting that walnut production makes a significant direct contribution to the economy as a result of high-quality products with full mechanization and methods of utilizing solar energy technologies in walnut production.

Integration of Solar Energy Technology in Improving Energy Sustainability and Efficiency in the Fisheries Sector (Case Study of Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province)

Improving sustainability and energy efficiency in the fisheries sector has emerged as an essential objective in addressing current environmental and economic concerns. One promising solution is the integration of solar energy technology in the fisheries sector. The purpose of the study was to analyse the potential and benefits of incorporating solar energy technology in improving sustainability and energy efficiency in the fisheries sector. This research included quantitative and qualitative analysis of the usage of solar energy technology in numerous aspects of the fisheries sector, such as fishing vessels, aquaculture, processing facilities, and related infrastructure. Data was collected from different locations with various characteristics during field research. The study found that integrating solar energy technology can lessen reliance on fossil fuels while also saving long-term operational costs. One of the potentials that can be used to encourage the growth of Rokan Hilir Regency, particularly in the field of fisheries, is the incorporation of solar energy technology. The Rokan Hilir Regency has the potential for solar energy conversion into electrical energy that can be used for a variety of purposes. The average peak power hour (Sun Peak Hour) for a year in Bangko District is 6.84 hours, with a minimum value of 6.23 hours in December and a maximum of 7.34 hours in August. The usage of integrated solar energy technology is utilised to support the activities of the fisheries sector, including catching, cultivating, or hatching, as well as fishing product processing. Obviously, the components used in each field must be adjusted to the level of electrical energy required. Several components that are used on fishing boats to facilitate fishing activities include spotlights, LED lights, fish cool boxes, and electric starters. Lighting lamps and DC water pumps can be used in the aquaculture industry. Solar energy is also used in the Fisheries Processing sector for LED lights and electric motors in shredded fish processing machines.

Solar photovoltaics: Silicon cell principles, technology implementation, and future development

Solar energy is one of the most well-known renewable energies in the world, which can be directly used as heating source or can be converted to other sources of energy, like electricity. In this paper, the main technology of solar energy named solar photovoltaic will be discussed. Solar Photovoltaic utilizes the property of semiconductor, talking mainly about silicon in this project, to realize this technology. This is widely used as crystalline PV cells, thin film PV, and other PV technology (such as multi-junction PV cells and concentrating systems). The cost of power from PV plants has decreased globally around years but it still needs to reduce capital cost for countries lacking sunlight. In comparison to other renewable or non-renewable energy producing methods, PV has probably a smaller environmental effect. In normal operation, PV emits no gaseous or liquid contaminations and no radioactive substances, but people still need to strengthen the recycle of old silicon cells to avoid the leakage of toxic substances. The global photovoltaic market has increased rapidly in recent years, and it will also keep this increase in the future. The purpose of this project is giving a basic understanding of photovoltaics in these areas.

Structural design of solar car body based on solid mechanics analysis of solar panel surface

With the increasingly serious problem of global warming and the growing scarcity of energy represented by oil, automobile development has reached a historical tipping point. Nowadays, the most popular solution is to use other clean and sustainable energy to replace current oil and natural gas, thereby addressing both environmental and energy shortage issues. Solar energy, as a "inexhaustible" source of energy, has made significant technological advances over the course of human history. There is, however, a gap in the application of solar energy technology in automotive technology. This paper uses COMSOL software to model the most commonly used solar panels and simulates and studies the streamline distribution, velocity distribution, pressure distribution, and stress distribution of the solar surface under high-speed movement of 90km/h. SoildWorks simulation is used to design a vehicle body structure for future solar cars based on these data. FLUENT software is used to simulate and study the streamline distribution and pressure distribution of the car body at a high speed of 90km/h. Finally, the design's logic and feasibility are validated. The fluids on the surface of a single solar panel and a vehicle body are simulated in this paper. Testing the pressure distribution and stress and strain tests can reveal the rationality and feasibility of the structural design.

Simulation and economic analysis of an innovative indoor solar cooking system with energy storage

Solar energy technology and energy storage technology are promising to make a contribution to current energy and global climate issue. The energy demand of daily cooking is enormous, and conventional cooking methods use gas or electricity with large carbon emissions. This paper proposes an innovative solar cooking system (SCS) integrated with rock-bed thermocline storage. Thermal oils transfer heat from the collectors to the rocks in the charging process and release heat in cooktop unit for cooking. The energy consumption of a household is first assessed by a reasonable hypothesis. Mathematical models and simulation models are then established to analyze the heat transfer performance of the cooktop unit and the annual running performance of the SCS. The rock-bed thermocline storage, single-tank thermocline storage and two-tank storage are compared. The simulation results indicate that the rock-bed thermocline storage unit employed to SCS will enhance the annual running performance and acquire the minimum initial investment cost. The economic analysis shows that the lowest levelized cost of cooking energy (LCOC) of the SCS is 0.3884 $/kWh, while the corresponding levelized cost of cooking a meal (LCCM) is 0.953 $/Meal and the solar fraction (SF) is 71%. Compared to the electrical and natural gas cooker, the SCS saves 1.75 tons and 0.52 tons of carbon emissions annually, respectively.

Climate risk and renewable energy technological innovation: An institutional environment perspective.

To explore whether climate risk (CR) affects renewable energy technological innovation (RETI) and its boundary conditions, this study examines the relationship between CR and RETI as moderated by institutional environment. Based on panel data of 60 countries for the period 2000-2019, we show that CR is not conducive to RETI, and that its negative marginal impact shows an inverted U-shaped trend with the improvement of RETI. Heterogeneity analysis shows that floods and storms have the greatest negative impacts on RETI, and that innovations in solar and wind energy technologies are more vulnerable to the adverse shocks of CR. Furthermore, CR has a greater adverse effect on RETI in developing countries than in developed countries. However, the institutional environment, especially the economic institutional environment, can work to mitigate the negative effect of CR on RETI. Our findings not only enrich the research on the economic consequences of CR but also provide effective ways to mitigate the adverse impact of CR on RETI from the perspective of institutional environment.

Performance Analysis and Comparison of an Experimental Hybrid PV, PVT and Solar Thermal System Installed in a Preschool in Bucharest, Romania

The demand for on-site production of energy is showing a rapid increase as the trend of decentralisation and energy self-reliance gains momentum. This paper studies and compares three of the main solar energy technologies: photovoltaic, solar thermal panels and hybrid photovoltaic thermal panels. A prototype experimental installation consisting of the aforementioned technologies was set up on the campus of University Politehnica Bucharest. Data were collected over several months, then the instantaneous power production and overall system performance was computed. The system was analysed in four types of weather patterns, and its suitability was assessed in each case. The results show that the performance of PVT panels is closely connected to the dissipation of the thermal energy collected in the thermal storage tank. In addition, PVT collectors can outperform the PV panels in accordance to the thermal energy demand of the end user when used in an installation with suitable dimensions.

Broadband High-Efficiency Solar Absorber Based on Tungsten Hole-Mesh

Solar energy is widely considered a “green energy” source, and to maximize its utilization, efficient solar absorbers that can absorb solar energy at various optical frequencies are necessary. We report a high-performance, broadband solar absorber made of just two materials –W and Al2O3. The absorber is composed of three layers, arranged from top to bottom: an Al2O3 dielectric layer, a W hole-mesh layer, and a W substrate layer. Finite difference time domain method analysis simulations demonstrated an ultra-high absorption rate of 97.64% across a wide spectrum of visible and near-infrared light. The high absorption rate is attributed to the combined effects of surface plasmon resonance, cavity resonance, and the high imaginary part of the permittivity of tungsten. Furthermore, we analyzed the influence of the geometric parameters of the W hole-mesh absorber on the absorption performance and explained the physical mechanism of the high absorption rate by analyzing impedance matching. Interestingly, the absorber is insensitive to polarized light and can still maintain a high absorption rate of 90% at an incident angle of 0–60°. Our findings indicate that the W hole-mesh absorber has significant advantages in solar energy harvesting, paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective solar energy technology.