Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100149
Diamantis Almpantis, Hanna Wöhlert, Mohammad Hossein Fouladfar, Henrik Davidsson, Martin Andersson
{"title":"Python–Simulink simulation of DC-coupled PV–PEM electrolyzer systems under minute-level solar variability","authors":"Diamantis Almpantis, Hanna Wöhlert, Mohammad Hossein Fouladfar, Henrik Davidsson, Martin Andersson","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Directly coupling photovoltaic (PV) arrays to proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers is among the cheapest routes to green hydrogen, but without a power converter the operating point is mismatched to the solar maximum-power point, and that mismatch shifts minute-to-minute with cloud cover. Which coupling strategy maximizes hydrogen yield under realistic solar variability, and whether the answer holds across climates, has remained unresolved, because dynamic PV-array reconfiguration and sub-second electrochemical transients have never been modelled together. This work addresses both within a single Python–Simulink co-simulation of seven DC-coupled PV–PEM architectures, spanning battery-less and battery-integrated designs, driven by minute-level irradiance from a hybrid K-nearest-neighbours downscaling algorithm and evaluated across four sites from polar Svalbard to the Namib Desert. The dominant lever on hydrogen output is found to be array reconfiguration rather than added power electronics: string switching alone raises solar-to-hydrogen efficiency to 14.9%, matching converter-based maximum-power-point tracking without a converter, and, combined with active battery management, gives the highest yield of all seven topologies. Temporal resolution proves decisive, as hourly-averaged data suppress almost 200 daily reconfiguration events and misrank the topologies. Crucially, the performance hierarchy is invariant from pole to desert, yet the benefit of reconfiguration is strongly climate-dependent, falling from +24% in the low, variable light of the polar site to +4% under the abundant, steady irradiance of the desert. The framework provides a validated, climate-aware benchmark for PV–PEM system design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148934845","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100129
Fernando Venâncio Mucomole , Carlos Augusto Santos Silva , Lourenço Lázaro Magaia
{"title":"Photovoltaic modeling of clear sky index correlations at different surface elevation measurement stations at short-measurement scale","authors":"Fernando Venâncio Mucomole , Carlos Augusto Santos Silva , Lourenço Lázaro Magaia","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The photovoltaic (PV) strength in a solar-powered system is often characterized by fluctuations due to the intermittent variation of solar energy originating from a central PV area. This can cause significant instability and compromise the longevity of the central PV system, compared to stability. Motivated by the aforementioned research, the objective was to develop a PV model of clear sky correlations at different surface elevation measurement stations at the measurement scale. However, the theoretical model was used to determine the solar energy analysis. Initially, the solar energy sample collected in about 16 locations across Mozambique was processed using time intervals of 1, 10, 15 min, and 1 hour. Then, the clear sky radiation was found, and the clear sky index (<span><math><msubsup><mi>K</mi><mi>t</mi><mo>*</mo></msubsup></math></span>) was calculated. Other data were collected using PVGIS, NOAA, and Meteonorm data from 2004 to 2024. The statistical results show that there is also variation for intervals shorter than one second, consisting of energy reduction due to predictors in 28% of the total incidents. The <span><math><msubsup><mi>K</mi><mi>t</mi><mo>*</mo></msubsup></math></span> increments are progressive, with a median of ∼0.02 and a <span><math><msubsup><mi>K</mi><mi>t</mi><mo>*</mo></msubsup></math></span> in the range of 0.04 to 0.9, exhibiting a high correlation and regression of 0.91 and 0.96 in several states and with the predictors. The region is affected by the increasing atmospheric parameter deposition in concentrations of about 0.20, but there is also a high probability of 92% energy flux potential for PV use, and the same interaction can be used in other locations to assess the potential of available solar energy. This is because the analysis of the solar energy spectrum is close to the theoretically tested sine wave energy distribution for the global population solar energy process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147397382","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-05-19DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100139
Diamantis Almpantis , Henrik Davidsson , Martin Andersson
{"title":"Multi-criteria optimization and control of solar-to-hydrogen conversion using silicon heterojunction PV and PEM electrolyzer coupling","authors":"Diamantis Almpantis , Henrik Davidsson , Martin Andersson","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The optimization of coupling between photovoltaic (PV) systems and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers is crucial for achieving efficient and scalable hydrogen production. Advances in both technology and software can enhance this integration. While static sizing and electrical coupling methods support location-specific design, they struggle to accommodate the dynamic nature of solar irradiance. This study addresses the challenge of solar variability by developing an adaptive reconfiguration and multi-criteria optimization algorithm to control the electrical coupling of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) PV cells with PEM electrochemical cells. Through multi-objective optimization, the algorithm enhances optimal performance by dynamically adjusting the electrical connection between the SHJ PV and PEM stack hourly. This approach replicates maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and power management cabinet functions without requiring additional power converters. The algorithm’s performance is benchmarked against single-objective reconfiguration algorithms and indirect control strategies with advanced power electronics and MPPT. Integrating a battery further enhances the potential of the direct reconfiguration strategy, allowing it to outperform indirect coupling methods with storage. Optimized sizing enables both direct and indirect coupling strategies to achieve solar-to-hydrogen (StH) efficiencies above 14.01%, capitalizing on the superior performance of SHJ technology. By integrating battery storage, the proposed adaptive direct reconfiguration strategy can achieve total efficiencies of up to 28.6% in high-irradiance locations. This approach not only simplifies system architecture but also delivers robust, cost-effective solar hydrogen production, lowering the levelized cost of hydrogen by 0.25 € – 0.94 € per kilogram in battery-integrated systems comparison.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148183904","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-04-21DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100138
Antonio W.D. Costa , Leticia O. Santos , Paulo C.M. Carvalho
{"title":"Machine learning models for photovoltaic modules operating temperature estimation in semiarid climate","authors":"Antonio W.D. Costa , Leticia O. Santos , Paulo C.M. Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work evaluates models for estimating photovoltaic module operating temperature under semiarid climate conditions. Nine distinct models were implemented and analyzed, including machine learning (ML) algorithms (Linear Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Random Forest), physical models (Ross, Faiman, and PVsyst), and semi-empirical polynomial models (hybrid correlations). The models were developed using a comprehensive dataset that includes real historical values of module operating temperatures, weather and operational parameters. Results demonstrate a clear superiority of the ML models, particularly Random Forest, which achieved Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.79 °C, representing a 46% reduction in RMSE compared to the best physical models (Ross: RMSE = 3.33 °C). The physical models showed the highest errors (MAE >2.40 °C, RMSE >3.32 °C), evidencing limitations for semiarid conditions. Semi-empirical models with hybrid correlations achieve intermediate performance (RMSE = 2.88 °C) while maintaining physical interpretability compared to pure ML approaches. Variable importance analysis indicated irradiance and ambient temperature as dominant predictors, while wind speed showed reduced importance under the studied conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100138"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147750699","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100153
Moritz End, Daniel Odilio dos Santos, Thorsten Schneiders, Aline Kirsten Vidal de Oliveira, Helena Flávia Naspolini, Yassin Maali, Ricardo Rüther
{"title":"Simulation of an off-grid energy system in the Amazon: development of a python-based open-source tool for decarbonization through hydrogen and comparison with homer","authors":"Moritz End, Daniel Odilio dos Santos, Thorsten Schneiders, Aline Kirsten Vidal de Oliveira, Helena Flávia Naspolini, Yassin Maali, Ricardo Rüther","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents a technical enhancement of the open-source Micro Grid User Energy Planning Tool Library (MiGUEL) to simulate hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) integrating green hydrogen. MiGUEL, originally developed for Photovoltaic generation (PV)+Diesel Generator+Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) microgrids, was expanded to include electrolysers, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells. These components were integrated into MiGUEL to enable energetic, economic, and environmental assessments. The updated tool was assessed using a case study of the remote community of Caiambé-Tefé in the Brazilian Amazon, based on measured load data. Simulation results were benchmarked against those obtained with HOMER Pro (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources), a widely used commercial software package for hybrid energy system optimisation. Evaluated at the same configuration of 3.5 MWp of PV, 5 MWh of battery, a 0.5 MW electrolyser, 4500 kg of hydrogen storage and a 0.5 MW fuel cell, the two tools agree closely: MiGUEL obtains a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.53 USD/kWh and a total capital cost of 16.07 million USD, against 0.515 USD/kWh and 15.31 million USD in HOMER Pro, differences of 2.9 and 4.7 per cent respectively. The residual difference comes from the representation of the hydrogen conversion chain, which HOMER Pro models with a constant efficiency and MiGUEL with a part-load curve, and from the battery replacement schedule. The integration of hydrogen into MiGUEL enables the modelling of CO₂-free seasonal storage systems in remote microgrids and provides a flexible, accessible, and transparent tool for planning sustainable electrification in isolated regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100153"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149159139","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100128
Samuel Luna de Abreu , Allan R. Starke , Marcelo Pinho Almeida
{"title":"PV combined systems for domestic water heating: A technical-economic analysis for south region of Brazil","authors":"Samuel Luna de Abreu , Allan R. Starke , Marcelo Pinho Almeida","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by falling costs, photovoltaic distributed generation has significantly increased in Brazil. This scenario facilitates various system configurations for meeting domestic hot water demand, with the additional benefit providing environmentally sustainable solutions. Therefore, this study compares the economic performance of three domestic water heating systems: electric heater, heat pump, and solar thermal; all integrated with photovoltaic energy. The technical and economic performance of each system was evaluated based on climate data from Florianopolis - Brazil, using TRNSYS software and the life cycle costing methodology. The results indicate that all PV-integrated options are more cost-effective than relying solely on grid electricity. The analysis demonstrated that these systems are economically feasible in all considered cases, with the solar thermal+PV system being the most advantageous from a user’s perspective, albeit by a narrow margin. Therefore, the final decision may depend on individual preferences. Furthermore, recent changes in electricity pricing negatively impact on the electric heater +PV configuration more intensely than the other alternatives. Furthermore, while electricity inflation supports solar adoption, rising discount rates and increasing fees significantly reduce Life Cycle Savings, potentially rendering economic returns marginal over the period of analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100128"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188716","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-09-15DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100150
Aiza Ahmad, Niamh Power, Evan Finegan
{"title":"High-resolution assessment of the impact of geographic variations and roof parameters on PV performance in Ireland","authors":"Aiza Ahmad, Niamh Power, Evan Finegan","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Residential photovoltaic (PV) deployment is central to the European Union’s decarbonisation strategy, however, current assessment practices often rely on simplified assumptions that overlook spatial variability and configuration-specific performance. In Ireland, the official Building Energy Rating methodology, DEAP, provides standardised dwelling energy assessment, but no nationally adopted framework enables detailed, spatially resolved evaluation of rooftop PV performance. This study addresses this gap by developing a statistically validated, spatially informed building-scale PV assessment framework. PV*SOL Premium simulations were conducted for 153 locations distributed across Ireland on a 0.25° latitude-longitude grid using Meteonorm meteorological data, considering nine roof orientations and three tilt angles (15°, 30°, and 45°). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc testing quantified and validated parameter significance and interactions. South-facing systems at 30° achieved the highest annual yields, while southeast and southwest orientations remained near-optimal, with reductions below 7%. North-facing systems experienced losses exceeding 45%. Identical PV configurations showed up to 18.6% variation in annual yield between locations, demonstrating substantial spatial climatic effects. Optimising orientation and tilt increased PV yield by up to 50% relative to the least favourable configuration. Comparison with DEAP revealed systematic underestimation of PV output by 4-11.6%, highlighting limitations in current national assessment practices. The proposed framework enables spatially and configuration-resolved PV assessment, supporting more accurate building energy modelling, improved regulatory methodologies and climate-responsive residential solar deployment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149004459","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100134
Sabrina Ebert , Anelise Pires , Marinna Pivatto , Marília Braga , João Paulo Veríssimo , Thamires Alves , Helena Flávia Naspolini , Ricardo Rüther
{"title":"Second-life photovoltaics in practice: Performance results from a Brazilian case","authors":"Sabrina Ebert , Anelise Pires , Marinna Pivatto , Marília Braga , João Paulo Veríssimo , Thamires Alves , Helena Flávia Naspolini , Ricardo Rüther","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) energy generation has raised concerns about premature module replacement and the resulting increase in waste with discarded modules. Circular economy strategies as reuse can extend module lifetimes, but their viability depends on verified safety and reliable performance. This study presents a technical characterization and experimental evaluation of multicrystalline silicon PV modules, originally installed in 2000, decommissioned after 22 years of off-grid operation on an island in Brazil, and screened for faults. After this screening, the modules were redeployed in southern Brazil in two independent experimental configurations: (i) two modules were monitored individually in an outdoor setup with continuous IV curve measurements, and (ii) a string of 14 modules was reinstalled in a grid-connected rooftop system. In the individual-module outdoor setup, after one year of second-life operation, the modules exhibited stable behavior, with performance consistent with annual degradation rates of 0.40–0.44%, well below the typical warranty value of 1%/year at the time of manufacturing. For the grid-connected rooftop system, after 23 years, the grid-connected PV string showed a total degradation of 14.0% and a weather-corrected Performance Ratio (PR) of 85.3%, exceeding the 80% threshold guaranteed by the manufacturer’s 20-year performance warranty. Insulation resistance and thermal inspections confirmed electrical safety, with only minor anomalies detected. The results demonstrate that second-life PV modules can operate safely and effectively after decommissioning and more than two decades after manufacture, highlighting their potential contribution to circular economy strategies in the solar sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147600283","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-09-18DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100152
Aditya Damaraju, Arunkumar HS, Avinash K. Hegde, Shiva Kumar, Younes Amini, Madhwesh N
{"title":"A systematic review of design and thermal modification techniques for solar still performance enhancement","authors":"Aditya Damaraju, Arunkumar HS, Avinash K. Hegde, Shiva Kumar, Younes Amini, Madhwesh N","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global freshwater scarcity remains a major challenge, particularly in arid and developing regions where conventional desalination technologies may be costly or difficult to deploy. Solar stills provide a simple, decentralised, renewable-energy-based approach for producing potable water, although their relatively low productivity remains a significant limitation. This systematic review examines design and thermal modification strategies for improving solar still performance, focusing on phase change materials (PCMs), fin and extended-surface configurations, and basin water-depth variation. Following the PRISMA 2020 framework, 66 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were systematically identified, screened, and critically analysed using Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. PCM integration improves thermal energy availability by storing heat during high solar irradiation and releasing it during reduced solar input, while fins enhance heat-transfer area and thermal interaction within the basin. Basin water depth influences thermal inertia, with shallow water generally promoting faster heating and evaporation. However, the critical synthesis reveals considerable variation in reported performance due to differences in solar still geometry, material properties, climatic conditions, operating parameters, experimental duration, and reference configurations. Consequently, no single enhancement technique can be considered universally superior. The findings highlight the need for standardised performance reporting, long-term validation, climate-specific optimisation, and systematic investigation of interaction effects among thermal storage, heat-transfer enhancement, and basin water depth. Future research should focus on integrated and practically scalable solar still designs that combine these complementary mechanisms to achieve reliable and sustainable freshwater production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149044063","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}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-08-13DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2026.100146
Pedro Galione, Germán Navarrete, Renzo Guido Cruz, Federico Licandro, Juan Rodríguez Muñoz, Italo Bove, Joaquin Buydid, Sebastián Lillo, Pablo Dellicompagni, Marcos Hongn, Loreto Valenzuela, Emmanuel Romano
{"title":"Conceptual design and initial assessment of a solar CPC-concrete thermal energy storage system for industrial process heat in Uruguay","authors":"Pedro Galione, Germán Navarrete, Renzo Guido Cruz, Federico Licandro, Juan Rodríguez Muñoz, Italo Bove, Joaquin Buydid, Sebastián Lillo, Pablo Dellicompagni, Marcos Hongn, Loreto Valenzuela, Emmanuel Romano","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2026.100146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents the design and preliminary assessment of a Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) pilot system developed in Uruguay for operation in the 100–150°C range. The proposed system integrates a non-tracking compound parabolic collector (CPC) field with a concrete-based thermal energy storage (TES) unit within a closed-loop pressurized water–glycol circuit, designed to emulate industrial steam demand through a tank–coil heat exchanger. It is designed for a nominal thermal output of 10 kW and an aperture area of ∼25 m², prioritizing local manufacturability and operational simplicity. The design methodology combines simplified analytical models, numerical simulations (optical and thermal), and experimental testing to support component sizing and performance prediction. Experimental characterization of the collector follows ISO 9806:2025 procedures at the Laboratorio de Energía Solar, while TES design is supported by numerical modeling and laboratory evaluation of concrete formulations. Preliminary results from a 3.9 m² CPC prototype show a peak optical efficiency of 33.5%, below the expected range, with analysis indicating that thermal losses remain within design values and that performance deviations are mainly associated with optical and manufacturing factors. For the TES, thermal conductivities of up to 2.65 W/m·K were measured for selected concrete mixes, although variability in the measurements highlights the need for further testing. Numerical results indicate that the proposed configuration supports thermal stratification and effective charge–discharge behavior. Overall, the proposed methodology supports the conceptual design and preliminary assessment of the SHIP pilot plant and provides a sound basis for further experimental validation and techno-economic assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148776831","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}