Flavio Odoi-Yorke , Richard Opoku , Francis Davis , George Yaw Obeng
{"title":"Advancing the solar cooking revolution: Insights into the evolving landscape of solar PV-based electric cooking","authors":"Flavio Odoi-Yorke , Richard Opoku , Francis Davis , George Yaw Obeng","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100091","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100091","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, there has been a significant emphasis on transitioning to sustainable energy technologies. Among these, electric cooking (e-cooking) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional cooking methods. This study employed a systematic review and bibliometric analysis to investigate emerging trends and advancements in solar PV-based e-cooking technology. The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the bibliometric analysis utilised the R Studio Bibliometrix software package in conjunction with the Biblioshiny interface. The findings revealed a growing research interest in solar PV-based e-cooking, driven by concerns about climate change, energy security, and environmental sustainability, such as deforestation, indoor air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The thematic analysis identified core research areas, including solar PV systems, renewable energy integration, developing clean and efficient cooking solutions, and addressing socio-economic factors for widespread adoption. Advancements were observed in areas such as solar PV-powered cooking devices, integrating PV e-cooking into microgrids and mini-grids, and exploring solar PV-based hydrogen production for cooking. Socio-economic and cultural factors were recognised as pivotal for successful technology adoption. The study highlights the potential of solar PV-based e-cooking as a sustainable and clean cooking solution and proposes future research directions, including optimisation of cooking devices, integration with advanced technologies, and comprehensive assessments of techno-economic viability and life-cycle impacts. The study findings are vital to researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders advancing the e-cooking sector for sustainable development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100091"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143168227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scientific mapping of experimental research on solar cookers: Global trends, evolution, and future directions","authors":"Flavio Odoi-Yorke , Bismark Baah , Richard Opoku","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar cooking technologies represent a critical sustainable energy solution for addressing global energy poverty and reducing the environmental impacts of traditional cooking methods. Despite growing research interest, comprehensive systematic bibliometric reviews of experimental research on solar cookers research remain limited. This bibliometric study aims to analyze experimental research on solar cooker trends, technological innovations, and knowledge development from 1994 to 2024. Utilizing the Scopus database, we applied the PRISMA systematic review methodology to analyze 581 peer-reviewed publications. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using R software's Bibliometrix package, examining scientific production, global collaboration patterns, keyword dynamics, and thematic evolution. The study findings reveal a consistent 7.46 % annual growth in experimental research on solar cookers, with significant advancements in thermal performance, energy efficiency, and technological design. India emerged as a research leader with strong international collaborations, particularly in Africa and Latin America. Emerging research themes include phase change materials, thermal energy storage, and innovative collector designs. The analysis identified a progressive shift from fundamental design considerations to more sophisticated, multidisciplinary approaches integrating sustainability, performance optimization, and socio-economic contexts. This comprehensive review provides critical insights into experimental research on solar cooking trajectories, highlighting the field's technological growth and potential to address global energy challenges. The findings emphasize the importance of continued interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in advancing sustainable cooking technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100093"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Inga Miadowicz, Daniel Maldonado Quinto, Robert Pitz-Paal, Michael Felderer
{"title":"An action research study on the digital transformation of concentrated solar thermal plants","authors":"Inga Miadowicz, Daniel Maldonado Quinto, Robert Pitz-Paal, Michael Felderer","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) marks the beginning of a new data-based age in which people, machines, products, and facilities are interconnected to realize smart factories. However, in practice many industrial facilities still rely on conventional automation pyramid system infrastructures according to the third industrial revolution (I3.0) paradigm. Particularly concentrated solar thermal (CST) technologies can benefit from the advances of I4.0, which can increase efficiency, flexibility, and productivity while reducing costs. However, the domain is still in its infancy with respect to the digitization and automation of its infrastructure. Comprehensive digital transformation approaches and integrated technical solution strategies are essential to illustrate how current CST facilities can update their operations and leverage I4.0 technologies holistically.</div><div>To bridge the gap between scientific progress, technological advances, and practical application, this study conducts action research in a CST plant. The goal is to demonstrate the digital transformation of an existing facility into a cyber–physical system according to the principles of I4.0. Thus, the study covers the entire development lifecycle of an I4.0 middleware layer that allows to subsequently retrofit CST plants into smart factories in brownfield scenarios. As a result, we generate theory from practice and generalize the learnings as a blueprint for the digital transformation of solar energy systems and comparable industrial environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143696952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maryam Nooman AlMallahi , Mohamed Y.E. Selim , Mahmoud Elgendi
{"title":"Exploring the evolution of solar-driven interfacial evaporation: Bibliometric and trends analyses","authors":"Maryam Nooman AlMallahi , Mohamed Y.E. Selim , Mahmoud Elgendi","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100116","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The interfacial solar evaporation (ISE) field has gained significant attention since its emergence due to its potential for harnessing solar radiation and developing novel photothermal materials. The present study conducts a bibliometric analysis to explore ISE research over the past decade from 2014 up to November 2024, using VOSviewer software and Bibliometrix package. Key metrics such as publication trends, affiliation, countries, keyword analysis, citations, and dynamic mapping were examined. The results showed a remarkable growth in the research output, with an impressive cumulative annual growth rate of 43.35 % and publications peaking in 2024. Desalination journal emerged as a leading source with 112 publications. Countries like China, the United States, and Australia have demonstrated a strong interest in this field. Keyword analysis revealed that terms like evaporation, desalination, steam generators, light absorption, photothermal, and water absorption are the most frequently used words. Materials such as graphene, carbon, cellulose, hydrogels, and biomass are often featured in ISE research. The conclusions and remarks presented can offer scholars a quantitative understanding of the interdisciplinary and multi-perspective approaches, highlighting the trends and advancements in the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100116"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144887266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Shazzad Hossain , Md. Rakibul Islam , Tanjim Ahmed , Al Sani , Md. Sazzat Hossain Sarker , Md. Akhtaruzzaman , S. M. Shamiul Alam
{"title":"Design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of an indirect solar-powered vegetable dryer","authors":"Md. Shazzad Hossain , Md. Rakibul Islam , Tanjim Ahmed , Al Sani , Md. Sazzat Hossain Sarker , Md. Akhtaruzzaman , S. M. Shamiul Alam","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Solar energy is a versatile resource that can be harnessed for a wide range of applications, including heating, drying, electricity generation through solar cells, and more. In this context, the study focuses on the design and construction of an indirect solar drying (ISD) system to reduce agricultural product waste and enhance preservation. The system utilizes solar energy to heat air, which is then directed into a drying chamber. Designed to overcome the limitations of traditional sun drying, including sunlight exposure, pest vulnerability, and high mechanical drying cost, this affordable dryer was constructed using locally available materials such as wood, glass, aluminium sheets, and galvanized steel wire tray. The dryer was found to be operated efficiently increasing air temperature in the drying chamber to 51–57 °C from the surrounding temperature of 29–35 °C. Experimental results demonstrated that the dryer could reduce the moisture content of red amaranth, moringa, and coriander leaves at 36.11 %, 25 %, and 15 % respectively within four hours—significantly faster than open sun drying (OSD). Additionally, the dryer preserves the color of the products more effectively. The solar dryer achieved efficiencies of 34.67–39.08 %, with faster drying rates and better model fit than OSD highlighting its viability. Economic analysis shows a payback period of 0.78 years, an attribute of 3.21, and a lifecycle benefit of BDT 255,868 (USD 2,132). With high efficiency, sustainability (energy payback: 4.77 years), and superior heat generation, it outperforms traditional methods. This makes it a cost-effective and sustainable solution for Bangladesh and similar regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100096"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143510432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oluwadamilola Florence Adefila, Johnson Ugwu, Ebere Donatus Okonta
{"title":"Optimising energy efficiency in electric buses with curved surface solar panels","authors":"Oluwadamilola Florence Adefila, Johnson Ugwu, Ebere Donatus Okonta","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100109","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100109","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition to electric buses in urban transportation presents challenges related to battery capacity, operational range, and energy efficiency. This study investigates the integration of curved surface photovoltaic (PV) panels on electric bus rooftops to optimize solar energy capture and address these challenges. Using simulations conducted via the Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS), the energy performance of curved PV panels was compared with conventional flat panels. The study evaluates key metrics, including energy generation potential, system efficiency, and operational feasibility, with a case study in Gillingham, United Kingdom. The findings reveal that curved PV panels generate up to 18 % more energy than flat panels under similar conditions, owing to their optimized surface design, which captures sunlight from a broader range of angles. This additional energy translates to an extended operational range and reduced dependency on external charging. The curved panels also demonstrated better energy performance during periods of low solar irradiance, highlighting their suitability for dynamic urban environments. This research is original in its focus on the application of curved PV panels in constrained spaces like electric bus rooftops, demonstrating the viability of this innovative design for enhancing energy efficiency in public transport systems. These findings pave the way for future innovations in green transportation solutions, particularly in regions with variable solar irradiance</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144089630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Solar PV self-consumption trends in Australia","authors":"Mark Goldsworthy","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems usually sit ‘behind-the-meter’ with electricity metering measuring power imported to or exported from the electricity grid to the site. Consumption, the power or energy used by devices at a home or business is no longer separatable from generation making the underlying electricity demand invisible. This has important implications, for example in understanding how demand changes over time, in estimating overall rooftop generation, and for estimating the emissions intensity of grid consumed electricity. In this study we analyse site level electricity metering data linked to separately metered solar generation data from over 27,000 dwellings and directly calculate the average hourly solar-self consumption fraction, daily underlying consumed energy and daily imported energy in the 5 regions of the Australian National Electricity Market. Annual average solar self-consumption rates are found to be significantly higher at between 0.69 and 0.8 depending on region for 2023 as compared to a previous national estimate (0.47) from a 2019 study, with rates decreasing over time. Daily consumed and imported energy are found to be increasing at a greater rate than indicated by one existing source. These results may be useful for understanding electricity demand and consumption changes and for computing grid emissions intensity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kanré Bamogo, Thierry Sikoudouin Maurice Ky, Lareba Adélaïde Ouédraogo, Salifou Ouédraogo, Sié Kam, Dieudonné Joseph Bathiebo
{"title":"Conception, realization and testing of a novel solar collector","authors":"Kanré Bamogo, Thierry Sikoudouin Maurice Ky, Lareba Adélaïde Ouédraogo, Salifou Ouédraogo, Sié Kam, Dieudonné Joseph Bathiebo","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The system proposed in this article is a collector made up of hemispherical concentrators. The prototype consists of four reflecting bowls covered with 8 mm glass in which 42 L of sunflower oil circulates. The oil being the absorber itself is heated by the hot spots resulting from the concentration of the spherical reflectors. So the proposed collector stands against usual collectors by canceling the black plate absorber and by assuming that the hot spots heating process is a better way of heating a fluid in natural convection while keeping the permanent positioning advantage. The aim of the first series of tests was to confirm that the hot spots could better heat the oil, which was assessed by the oil excess temperature with the ambient reaching 32 <span><math><mo>°</mo></math></span>C for a maximum irradiation value of 970 W m<span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>. The second series of tests was carried out on the same collector heating a 60 L water tank in indirect heat transfer mode, resulting in an average daily efficiency of 86.30%. The annual daily effective heat gain was estimated at 6.21 MJ for a receptive surface area of 0.39 m<sup>2</sup> and an average irradiation value of 506 W m<span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>. 73.02% of this heat gain was allocated to water. In conclusion, direct heating of a liquid by hot-spots is effective. The proposed collector, while operating entirely in passive mode and retaining the convenience of flat plate collectors, has shown competing performances with them and can also be approved as an ICS after key actions against its drawbacks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anika Tabassum Raisa , Syed Nazmus Sakib , Mohammad Jobayer Hossain , Kaiser Ahmed Rocky , Abu Kowsar
{"title":"Advances in multijunction solar cells: An overview","authors":"Anika Tabassum Raisa , Syed Nazmus Sakib , Mohammad Jobayer Hossain , Kaiser Ahmed Rocky , Abu Kowsar","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The advanced multijunction solar cell (MJSC) has emerged as a frontrunner in photovoltaic literature due to its superior photoconversion efficiency (PCE) owing to its complex fabrication procedure and high costs. This article aims to systematically review the advancements of III-V MJSCs by focusing on computational modelling and experimental fabrication methodologies. In addition, it addresses the technical barriers that have hindered the progression of MJSC technology while also evaluating the current status and prospects of these cells. The findings indicate that III-V MJSCs hold significant promise for space applications. However, advancements in materials science, growth techniques, and structural optimization are crucial for reducing fabrication costs to make these cells more viable for terrestrial use. In this context, alternatives such as perovskite/Si or perovskite/chalcogenide tandem solar cells emerge as viable options. By synthesizing insights from a thorough analysis of recent literature, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, industry practitioners, and newcomers seeking to deepen their understanding of the research methodologies, growth techniques, and the associated challenges and opportunities within the realm of MJSCs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143815660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A quality control scheme for solar irradiance measurements on facades in urban environments","authors":"Nesrin Irmak Köker , Martina Giorio , Gabriele Lobaccaro , Gilles Desthieux , Peter Gallinelli , Bjørn Petter Jelle , Mattia Manni","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2024.100083","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2024.100083","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing prominence of digital tools for city-scale solar analysis emphasizes the need for validation methodologies, which include urban environmental monitoring and data quality control. This study addresses this gap by introducing a quality control scheme for solar irradiance measurements, using a typical street canyon in Geneva (Switzerland) as a case study. The developed quality control scheme is replicable and effectively addresses challenges posed by the built environment, distinguishing it from existing methods that mostly apply to measurements from unobstructed sensors. The experimental data used in this study were retrieved from the monitoring system installed on two opposing facades of the street canyon case study, as well as a nearby weather station. Measurements were recorded from December 22nd, 2022, to December 19th, 2023, at a one-minute time resolution. Five quality checks – nighttime check, range limit tests, precipitation check, shadow detection, and consistency check - were defined to identify the potential flaws and disturbances in the dataset so that these data points could be flagged accordingly. The results consist of reliable solar irradiance data over one year, which can be used in the future for validating a new component for modeling façade solar potential within the Grand Geneva Area Solar Cadaster.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100083"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143168223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}