Solar Thermal Technologies Research Articles

A DFT insight into magnetic, optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of h-Zn1-xCuxS monolayer

In this study, we used the density functional theory (DFT) method to analyze the effect of Cu insertion on the structural stability, electronic, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of the hexagonal ZnS monolayer (h-ZnS-2D). Our findings show that Cu replaces zinc sites by giving a stable planar structure in Ferromagnetic (FM) phase with slight decrease in the lattice parameter. A p-type semiconductor with a direct band gap that decreases with increasing Cu concentration was obtained. The half-metallic character found for low Cu concentrations let consider the h-Zn1-xCuxS-2D for potential applications in spintronic devices. The optical properties show that the h-Zn1-xCuxS-2D monolayers have high absorption and low transmittance in the UV range. The improved figure of merit of h-Zn1-xCuxS-2D due to increased electrical conductivity and decreased thermal conductivity with Cu content, makes these nanostructures a promising absorber for thin-film solar cells and suitable for solar thermal energy conversion technologies.

Performance comparison of three supercritical CO2 solar thermal power systems with compressed fluid and molten salt energy storage

In recent years, the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycle power generation system has gradually attracted the attention of academics as a solar thermal power generation technology. To achieve the stable and effective use of solar energy, three sCO2 solar power generation systems were studied in this paper. These systems included a molten salt thermal storage system, a compressed CO2 energy storage system, and a combined molten salt thermal storage and compressed CO2 energy storage system. The thermodynamic analysis model of the sCO2 power generation system is constructed, and a mathematical model of the solar power tower system is produced. The operating conditions, thermal efficiency, exergy efficiency, and economics of these three systems on typical days are investigated and compared. The results indicate that the power generation system coupled with compressed CO2 storage has higher thermal and exergy efficiencies than the other two systems with the same daily heliostat field. The thermal efficiencies can be as high as 6.56% and 5.91% respectively, and the exergy efficiencies as high as 5.76% and 6.22% respectively. The system coupled with compressed CO2 energy storage is more cost-effective and has a shorter payback period than the system coupled with molten salt thermal storage system and the system with both forms of energy storage.

Approaches for smart linear regression in a difficult quasi economic dispatch problem

<span lang="EN-US">Traditional methods indispensably necessitate monotonically increasing characteristic for fuel cost of generators in a thermal power plant. However, in medium and large thermal power plants, this condition is a dream to accomplish. So, to meet out these exigencies heuristic methods like swarm optimization technique, genetic algorithm technique and bee colony based hybrid solar thermal technology (BHSTT) are used to realize the practical nonlinearities associated with valve point loading emanated out of multi-valving effect, associated with power station. However, the heuristic methods too face challenges arising out of bulky thermal power plants adopting cubic cost functions and possessing stringent non-convex economic dispatch problem following multi-valving and erratic behavior of nonlinear loads at the load center. So, at its favor function evaluation method dealing with cubic cost function is attempted in this dissertation to yield a satisfactory optimal solution for economic dispatch problem. This method deals with the real power generation of producing units as well as the complex power of units, as well as dealing with severe nonlinear stringent fuel cost characteristics that are prevalent in today’s bulky thermal power plants. In comparison to previous approaches, the findings achieved are highly encouraging.</span>

A novel solar-driven Organic Rankine Cycle system based on the two-stage solar thermal collection and accumulation

Solar thermal power has attracted much attention because it is instrumental to solar energy storage and power grid peak shaving. Among the various solar thermal power technologies, the Organic Rankine Cycle stands out as a prevalent choice for low and intermediate-temperature (80 – 200 °C) solar thermal power generation applications. However, it is required of the concentrating solar collectors for medium temperature supply and its performance is greatly affected by the off-design operation owing to variable solar irradiance. In this paper, a novel solar-driven Organic Rankine Cycle system that consists of a two-stage solar thermal collection and accumulation design is proposed to solve the above issues. Two-stage non-concentrating solar plants are adopted to harvest global solar irradiance and regulate system operation. Two-stage energy accumulators can not only mitigate the influence of the solar irradiance fluctuation on the Organic Rankine Cycle off-design running but also enhance the temperature drop of thermal energy storage. Through the experimental test and numerical simulation, the results indicate that the influence of solar irradiance on the Organic Rankine Cycle steady operation has been weakened (reducing power output fluctuation range by approximately 70%), and the overall system efficiency has also been improved by 43.85%. Consequently, the solar Organic Rankine Cycle system proposed in this paper exhibits superior thermal performance compared to the conventional systems and is conducive to the advancement of the non-concentrating solar thermal power system.

Estimation of one-minute direct normal irradiance using a deep neural network for five climate zones

Due to its high cost and significance for solar thermal technologies, the calculation of direct normal irradiance has dominated the modelling of solar radiation components. There are three methods described in the literature to calculate direct normal irradiance: regression analysis, probabilistic approach, and application of machine learning models. To demonstrate that machine learning models can achieve sufficient generality for solar radiation data with good statistical results, a new methodology is proposed with three main goals: that required only one measure data as input, trained a deep neural network model using only one station referred as the reference station, and evaluate the direct normal irradiance estimated by the model with the measured values from others stations of the same climate zone. The results then were compared against the most prominent separation models in the literature. The proposed methodology shows that the model learn the radiative characteristics of the reference station and is a feasible method to estimate the component of solar radiation in others location. Therefore, the proposed approach is a viable methodology that has the ability to reach the sought-after quasi-universal model by researchers, as demonstrated by the neural network’s similar or superior performance compared to the separation models.

Design and performance investigation of modified Hybrid Parabolic Linear Fresnel Collector

The Parabolic Trough Collector and Linear Fresnel Collector are the two established solar thermal concentrator technologies. While both technologies have their own advantages, current research focus in on alternate designs to improve optical and thermal performance of the collectors. The optical modifications by changing the primary reflector design have been one of the areas of research. One such modifications is the discretization of the parabolic mirror with flat plates. A hybrid collector combing the flat plates and stationary absorber of LFC with the parabolic profile of a PTC is investigated. A Hybrid Parabolic Linea Fresnel Collector (HPLFC) is designed based on optical analysis with ray tracing analysis and the collector tested experimentally. The average yearly energy production of PTC, LFC and modified HPLFC has been studied with optical and thermal modelling. The optical and thermal modelling estimates that HPLFC has an average optical efficiency of 49 % and overall efficiency of 39 %. The HPLFC efficiency is lower than PTC and performs better than LFC during winter. The HPLFC has been investigated experimentally at Coimbatore, India. The efficiency of HPLFC has been found to be 35 ± 2 %. This can be improved with better manufacturing and optimization of operating conditions.

Multicriteria Decision-Making for Evaluating Solar Energy Source of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia generates more than 98% of its electricity through hydrocarbon resources. To reduce the consumption of fossil fuel resources and protect the environment, the government of Saudi Arabia is planning to make renewable energy an essential part of its energy mix. In this study, due to the country’s abundant solar potential, solar energy has been selected as the energy source to generate renewable energy in Saudi Arabia. The two solar energy technologies, photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal, have been analyzed in three different locations within the country. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques were used to rank the cities for each of the technologies. The SAW(Simple Additive Weighting)-AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) MCDM method based on climate, environmental, technical, economic, and social has been adopted to analyze the suitability of each technology for all locations. To assign weights to the criteria AHP method was used, while to rank the technologies, SAW was used. The results show that for the PV technology, Abha ranked 1st with a performance score of 91%, making it the most suitable location, followed by Jeddah with 83%. While for solar thermal technologies, Jeddah is the most suitable location, with a performance score of 96%, followed by Abha with 91%. The PV systems generated a maximum of 11,019 MWh in Abha, while the solar thermal produced maximum of 14,000 MWh in Jeddah. Overall, solar thermal technology outperformed PV technology in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s higher temperature. The analysis of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in this study provides valuable insight for the government of Saudi Arabia in identifying the best site for solar energy technologies in the country.

Overview of solar thermal technology development and applications in West Africa: Focus on hot water and its applications

Solar thermal technologies can help alleviate the sustainable energy access challenge in West Africa by offering complimentary solutions to reduce dependency on wood and fossil fuels. This paper provides a comprehensive regional overview of the water-based solar heating technology sector in West Africa in order to identify crucial factors that could boost a successful deployment of solar water heating systems in the region. Emphasis is placed on solar water heaters (SWHs), solar sorption refrigeration and solar heat for industrial process. The article summarizes the salient characteristics of widely used technological solutions and offers an understanding of the development and applications of solar water heating technology in the region. The review includes trends and research focusing on market, technologies, local manufacturing and policies, and shows that solar water heating potential remains scarcely exploited, with different status in different countries in the region. There are mostly thermosiphon systems with very few pumped systems. Industrial applications are practically inexistent, including concentrated solar heat. Finally, problems lying in the solar thermal sector in West Africa are analysed and measures for solving the problems are suggested.

Implementation of active and passive control strategies for power generation in a solar chimney power plant: A technical evaluation of Manzanares prototype

Nowadays, it is necessary to develop sustainable energy suppliers according to the concerning environmental issues. Solar energy is one of the appropriate solutions. Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) represents a viable form of solar thermal electricity generation technology. Temporal variations in the driving factors of the plant, especially solar radiation, cause significant fluctuations in output power. This study evaluates active and passive control strategies for achieving more stable power generation in SCPP using Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems. The governing equations for performance modeling have been solved by a developed MATLAB code and validated with experimental data from the Manzanares prototype. Using TES reduced output power fluctuations and showed daily electrical energy generation of 331.9, 314.3, and 308.7 kWh for sand, limestone soil, and water-filled bags, respectively. Implementing an active control strategy with the FLC system alone provided a 25 and 30-kW baseload generation in the mid-hours of the day. Finally, integrating the FLC and TES systems in a hybrid control strategy continued a base load power generation of 12 and 16 kW up to 4 h after sunset, utilizing limestone soil and water-filled bags, respectively.

Ultrasonic Velocity, Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity Studies on Barium Oxide: Silicone Oil Nanofluids

In this study, we focused on the preparation and characterization of Barium oxide (BaO): Silicone oil nanofluids with the assistance of ultrasonication. The purpose was to investigate the potential impact of these nanofluids on solar radiation absorption. To achieve this, six different concentrations (ranging from 0.01 g to 0.06 g) of BaO: Silicone oil nanofluids were prepared. The nanofluids were subjected to various characterization techniques to evaluate their properties. Ultrasonic velocity measurements were conducted to assess the dispersion quality and stability of the nanofluids. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was utilized to examine any potential interactions between the nanoparticles and the fluid medium. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Visible) spectroscopy was employed to investigate the optical properties of the nanofluids, particularly their ability to absorb solar radiation. Additionally, electron microscopy analysis provided insights into the morphology and size distribution of the BaO nanoparticles. The results obtained from the UV-Visible analysis provided valuable information regarding the solar radiation absorption efficiency of the BaO: Silicone oil nanofluid systems. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential application of these nanofluids in solar energy harvesting. Furthermore, the ultrasonic studies and FTIR analysis confirmed that there were no significant particle-fluid interactions, indicating the stability of the nanofluids. Thermal conductivity measurements were carried out to determine the heat transfer efficiency of the BaO: Silicone oil nanofluid system at different concentrations. The results revealed an optimal concentration that exhibited the highest heat transfer efficiency, suggesting the potential of these nanofluids for enhancing heat transfer processes. In conclusion, this study successfully prepared and characterized BaO: Silicone oil nanofluids. The analysis of their optical properties, stability, and thermal conductivity provides valuable insights into their potential application in solar radiation absorption and heat transfer systems. Further research can explore the practical implementation of these nanofluids in solar energy conversion and thermal management technologies.

Thermal energy storage biogel with good biodegradability for solar energy powered heavy oil recovery

For cleaner production of heavy oil with lower fossil fuel consumptions, solar thermal enhanced oil recovery (Solar TEOR) technologies are increasingly researched nowadays. However, the intermittency of solar radiation and inferior energy efficiency of steam flooding restricted industrial applications of Solar TEOR methods in oilfield. In this work, the eutectic NaCl–KCl and graphite were loaded into the biomass gelling matrix (crosslinked methylcellulose network) through supramolecular interactions. Then, a thermal energy storage biogel (NaCl–KCl)@G/MC with high thermal conductivity (2.06 W m−1·K−1), latent heat storage capacity (melting enthalpy: 112.4 J g−1 at 352.4 °C) and thermal reliability (melting enthalpy retention up to 94.4% after 30 cycles), was synthesized for improving the continuousness of solar thermal supply and energy efficiency of steam flooding. From the experimental results, the proposed oil recovery method — solar powered steam flooding in daytime + the thermal-storage biogel heated N2 flooding in nighttime — can meet the all-weather 24/7 production of heavy oil and improve energy efficiency (oil-steam ratio and thermal efficiency up to 0.56 and 62.1%). With (NaCl–KCl)@G/MC biogel assistance, energy consumption of oil production was decreased from 153.1 J·(mL oil)−1 to 9.9 J·(mL oil)−1 as the cost reduction of 19.8% in comparison with intermittent solar steaming. This study offers a candidate design to achieve a continuous thermal recovery of heavy oil entirely powered by solar energy, promoting the solar thermal technologies in oil industry operations.

Low-carbon transformation of ethylene production system through deployment of carbon capture, utilization, storage and renewable energy technologies

Ethylene industry contributes significantly to the world economy, but the conventional steam cracking based production process generates huge amount of CO2 emissions due to massive use of fossil fuels for power and heat supply. Deploying technologies of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and renewable energy is urgently necessary to steer the emission-intensive ethylene industry towards carbon neutrality. To attain this goal, this paper proposes a low-carbon ethylene production system with the joint deployment of CCUS, wind turbine, solar heat collector, electric boiler and thermal energy storage technologies. Energy, economic and CO2 generation/reduction performance models of each equipment are developed first. Based on which, a mixed-integer liner programming framework is constructed to find the optimal capacity configuration and coordinated operation scheme of the multiple devices, laying a foundation for the reliable, economical and low-carbon operation of the integrated system. Case studies on a practical ethylene production system demonstrate that the proposed low-carbon retrofit leads to 57.50% CO2 reduction at the expense of 15.92% total annual cost increase. Discussions are then carried out to investigate the effects of different decarbonization routes, the impact of carbon emission trading price, the approach to promote the deployment of CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, and the advantage of taking carbon capture as flexible load, through which, broader insights are provided for the low-carbon transformation of the ethylene industry.

Effect of geometric variation and solar flux distribution on performance enhancement of absorber tube thermal characteristics for compound parabolic collectors

A compound parabolic collector (CPC) is a concentrated solar thermal technology widely used for thermal energy storage and electricity generation. Usage of proficient absorber tube configuration improves its thermal efficiency and the present study is an attempt to numerically evaluate the feasibility of employing elliptical absorber tube design in CPCs. Initially, the thermal characteristics of the conventional circular and proposed elliptical absorber tube configurations were evaluated for an ideal condition, taking into account the solar radiation effect from Monte-Carlo ray-tracing analysis. The effect of governing factors that include fluid flow rate (0.015–0.05 kg/min), heat flux (1175–1200 W/m2), and inclination angle (3°) were analyzed for optimum condition identification delivering maximum efficiency. Further analysis was focused on evaluating the thermal loss influence with face-split and top-wall insulation conditions. Results indicated that the elliptical configuration outperformed the circular tube with an increment in the maximum temperature rise by 42.2%, 33.4%, and 27.7% for simple, face-split, and face-split top-wall insulated conditions along with better stability over the local hydrodynamic changes. Face-split analysis contributed to better realistic results over constant heat flux and it was inferred that the inclined face-split elliptical configuration exhibited maximum thermal efficiency with higher temperature rise and nominal pressure drop characteristics.

Nanopatterned indium tin oxide as a selective coating for solar thermal applications

Indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings have been proposed to reduce thermal emission losses for solar thermal applications. Unfortunately, ITO also has a large amount of free charge carriers (∼1 × 1020 per cm3), which absorb sunlight. To address this issue, we propose a nano-patterned ITO-coated quartz exhibiting both anti-reflectivity (to maximize solar transmission) and low emissivity (to minimize long wavelengths radiative losses). A record small-size nanosphere (∼60 nm) etch mask was prepared via double self-assembly, followed by dry etching and characterisation. In parallel, alternative nanopattern geometries were modelled using the Lumerical FDTD software to optimise short wavelength transmission without diminishing the inherently low emissivity of unetched ITO. It was found that an inverted moth's eye pattern (height = 250 nm and spacing = 80 nm) gave the best results at various solar concentrations (1 sun @ 100 °C, 10 suns @ 400 °C, and 100 suns @ 600 °C), resulting in ∼7% improvement in the solar weighted transmission as well as a similar boost in the overall efficiency factor for selectivity. It was concluded that if the proposed deposition/etching processes can be cost-effectively scaled in a continuous process, it would provide a net performance boost for most solar thermal technologies.

Harvest of the Sun: A cost effective solar thermal technology to simultaneously provide affordable energy and generate mass employment in developing Sun‐belt regions

AbstractHere we report a cost effective solar harvestor based on parabolic trough collector (PTC) technology with three remarkable characteristics. First, unlike the expensive (~USD 170/m2‐aperture) state‐of‐the‐art PTCs which use large curved reflectors, this reflector is composed of a plurality of long rectangular mirrored strips of glass placed on laser‐cut parabolic ribs to yield an accurate reflecting shape giving a concentration ratio of 38 (comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art). Second, the entire assembly is on bolts. It can be delivered in boxes, and can easily be erected on desired site: in stark contrast to state‐of‐the art PTCs, which need to be fabricated in a specially equipped workshop and installed using cranes. Third, by incorporating several innovations guided by comprehensive optimization using finite element analysis and ray tracing, the cost of the system has been brought below USD 82/m2‐aperture (as per the recommendation of NAE). Taken together, this solution promises more cost‐effective base load electricity than Photovoltaics, hence goes a long way toward meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Affordable Energy (SDG‐7). Further, it can be fabricated using industrial equipment that is readily available in the developing regions of the Sun‐belt and installed using unskilled labor. Hence, it can form the core of a massive, decentralized, micro‐CSP industry that can provide dignified employment to large numbers of people in developing regions (SDG‐8). We have termed this technology Harvest of the Sun.

Directly irradiated fluidized bed autothermal reactor (DIFBAR): Hydrodynamics, thermal behaviour and preliminary reactive tests

The advancements of the Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) technologies in the heat and power sector are pushing researchers to find new ways to exploit solar energy. Solar-driven thermochemical processes can open new scenarios and set a milestone towards a greener industry. This paper presents the development of a Directly Irradiated Fluidized Bed Autothermal Reactor (DIFBAR), that exploits fluidization technology and the principle of an autothermal reactor to carry out solar chemical processes with high efficiency. The viability of recovering the sensible energy of the solid products to preheat the reactants is studied in an experimental prototype that couples a cavity receiver/reactor and a countercurrent double-pipe heat exchanger. The prototype is operated as a circulating fluidized bed: the inner tube of the heat exchanger is a fluidized bed riser, the receiver works as a gas–solid separator, the outer tube (annulus) of the heat exchanger is an overflow standpipe and a buffer tank (reservoir) connects the annulus to the riser, closing the loop. The reservoir can also be operated as a fluidized bed reactor like in a dual-fluidized bed system. The first experimental results are reported using a Geldart B sand as bed inventory. A hydrodynamic study has been carried out to verify proper control of the system. Solid circulation rates have been determined and match the design target of 1.4 g/s. Pressure measurements have been used to control bed levels and the flow of the sand through the standpipe. The effects of gas velocities and outlet pressure drops are reported. Internal gas flow patterns have been determined by a gas tracing technique. Undesired gas by-passing streams are very small and can be zeroed by regulating the operating conditions. High temperature experiments have been conducted with a high-flux solar simulator under inert and reactive conditions, to prove the operating principle of the reactor. Steady state temperature profiles have been analyzed to assess the performance of the heat exchanger: the heat transfer coefficient ranges between 340 and 490 W/(m2 K). The operability of a solar-driven chemical process has been proved by calcining a batch of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) particles, added to the inventory.

Photothermal conversion potential of full-band solar spectrum based on beam splitting technology in concentrated solar thermal utilization

It is still a great challenge for the concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology to promote the utmost out of solar energy further because the CST's receiver generally discards the longer wavelength spectra to prevent radiative heat loss due to high temperatures. Spectrum splitting is a well-known technology generally used in multi-energy cogeneration devices, such as Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, aiming to improve photoelectrical efficiency. In this study, the solar spectrum splitting technology is employed in the CST system to take full advantage of solar radiation through enhanced absorptions and conversions of piecewise solar radiation. The exergy efficiency of a beam-splitting photothermal (BSPT) system is used to evaluate its effectiveness. Here, the mechanisms of beam splitting under different splitting wavelengths (λsp) and concentration ratios (Cr) are investigated. Furthermore, the influence of the split number is evaluated, and the performance of the dual-segment BSPT system is compared with traditional photothermal systems with real and assumed coatings. It shows that beam splitting can play an excellent role in improving exergy performance. The exergy efficiency improvement ratio of the BSPT stabilizes at around 9% when λsp is 1300 nm, and the proposed dual-segment BSPT system can maintain an excellent performance even under off-design working conditions.

Mathematical Model Development of Evacuated Glass-Thermal Absorber Tube Collector (EGATC) for Air Heating Application

For decades, solar energy as one of the endless energy sources has become the most public preference as a means to accommodate space heating. Various studies on solar thermal technologies have been worked out to replace outdated systems. However, conventional solar thermal systems offer two drawbacks such as diffuse solar radiation conditions that can lead to insufficient heating during the winter and autumn, and limitations of the solar collector orientation that need to be opposed at a correct tilted angle towards maximize the performance of the system. Previous study had proposed an integrated design that consists of the evacuated tube and pre-heating double pass flow thermal absorber arrangement namely Evacuated Glass-Thermal Absorber Tube Collector (EGATC) to overcome these problems. Therefore, this research has discussed further on the formulated mathematical equation of the design. EGATC components used to convert solar radiation into heat that stabilized and increased the outlet temperature were evacuated glass, thermal absorber and working fluid. The equation related to each component were developed based on the first law of thermodynamic. The combination of developed equation forms a solar thermal collector model for the system.

Thermal stress durability and optical characteristics of a promising solar air receiver based black alumina ceramics

In solar thermal technology, solar receiver materials with high solar absorptivity and photocatalytic efficiency have recently become a mandatory requirement for promoting and maximizing the released thermal and electrical energy. This paper presents a detailed study of the optical performance and thermal stress durability of the promising solar receiver material, black Al2O3/CuO ceramics. Different Al2O3/CuO ceramics with different CuO content (10–40 wt%) were obtained by the pressureless sintering method. Optical properties such as solar absorbance and reflectance, band gap energy and photoluminescence are inclusively investigated. The thermal stress resistance of the obtained ceramic receivers is simulated using the finite element modeling (FEM) method at different temperatures. Results indicated that adding and increasing the content of CuO to Al2O3 has a significant role in transforming alumina from a non-solar light-absorbed material to a solar absorber material with high absorptivity in the Ultraviolet–Visible-Near Infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) spectrum. Composite with 40 wt% CuO has recorded the maximum absorbance of 75% in the visible light region. Moreover, Al2O3/CuO ceramics gave multiple graded band-gaps in the range of (1.6–5 eV). Composites with high wt% of CuO have the most increased photocatalytic activity and light emissivity efficiency. Thermal stress analysis of the different ceramics showed outstanding stress durability with uniform heat distribution. Hence, black Al2O3/CuO ceramics can be considered ideal solar absorber materials with high sustainability and durability at high temperatures.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of wood wastes in a concentrating solar plant: A techno-economic analysis

This paper reports the simulation and techno-economic analysis of a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) solar plant for bio-oil production from forestry residues. The HTL solar plant is designed to process 1 ton of biomass daily. The heat required by the HTL process is provided by a parabolic trough solar collector field and a natural gas boiler to allow continuous operation. The annual simulation of the thermal performance of the plant is carried out using the TRNSYS software. The considered location is Temixco, México, and a Typical Meteorological year is used to characterize the site's climate. The bio-oil yield is calculated by a kinetic model that considers the biomass's composition and the slurry's temperature. An economic model is implemented that includes the costs involved and helps determine the bio-oils minimum selling price for the system's financial viability. The obtained yields of biogas, bio-oil, biochar, and organic aqueous phase are 13.3, 29.4, 13.6, and 42.9 wt%, respectively. The minimum fuel sale price (MFSP) for the annual production obtained is estimated between $1.27 and USD 1.55/kg. Eliminating transportation costs, the value of MFSP was assessed in a range of $0.89 to USD 1.09/kg. The results show that integrating concentrated solar thermal technology for processing lignocellulosic waste from the sawmill industry may be an attractive, viable, and sustainable option for producing biofuels, with potential application in countries with high availability of forest biomass, such as Mexico.