{"title":"Thermal Performance of a Barra–Costantini System in a Residential Building in Mashhad","authors":"Hoda Asdaghi, Rima Fayaz","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X24603053","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X24603053","url":null,"abstract":"<p>One of the main elements contributing to heat loss in buildings is the exterior envelope, which can be improved by employing passive solar systems. This research aims to investigate the Barra–Costantini system’s performance through simulation to obtain the best thermal performance with varying system characteristics, enhance thermal comfort, and reduce energy demand. Three types of glass—single-layer, two-layer, and three-layer—along with various channel dimensions (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 m) and vent configurations were simulated in a residential building in Mashhad. For a room with a volume of 33.6 m<sup>3</sup>, the maximum heat gained with a 15 cm depth channel and single-layer glass resulted in an energy saving of 29.1%. The room temperature did not exceed 2°C with this system. However, this system alone cannot provide thermal comfort for Mashhad. The level of thermal comfort, as indicated by the Predicted Mean Vote index in October, with and without this system, is –1.6 and –2.06, respectively. Thermal comfort is improved during hot periods of the year by keeping external vents open during the day with an open roof vent at night instead of keeping all vents open throughout the day and night. Additionally, an increase in the height of the Barra–Costantini channel resulted in a decrease in the amount of heat gained.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 5","pages":"552 - 562"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606603","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}
Mohammed Ali Hadj Ammar, Mohammed El Hadi Attia, Ali Zine, Abdallah Bouabidi, Anil Kumar
{"title":"Solar Drying of Sandfish Using Novel Dryer Integrated with a Combination of Fins and Thermal Storage: An Experimental Investigation in Sahara Algeria","authors":"Mohammed Ali Hadj Ammar, Mohammed El Hadi Attia, Ali Zine, Abdallah Bouabidi, Anil Kumar","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25600870","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25600870","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This research article evaluates the performance of an Inverted Solar Collector (ISC) dryer for drying Sandfish in the Sahara region of Algeria (El-Oued City). Experimental studies compared an ISC dryer equipped with copper fins (CF) and paraffin wax (PCM) latent heat storage to an ISC dryer without CF-PCM, as well as to natural sun drying. Performance assessment considered both thermal efficiency and product quality. Sandfish with an initial moisture content of 73.18% were dried to a final moisture content of 11.34% (wet basis) in 43 h using the ISC dryer with CF-PCM, in 55 h using the ISC dryer without CF-PCM and over 100 h with natural sun drying. Results demonstrate a reduction in drying time of 27.90% compared to the ISC dryer without CF-PCM and up to 100% compared to natural sun drying. Additionally, solar drying enhanced the water, ash, protein, and lipid content of the dried Sandfish. Experimental findings revealed that the dried Sandfish contained 55.7% protein and 13.4% lipids, compared to 19.6 and 2.8%, respectively, in fresh Sandfish. From a nutritional quality perspective, the ISC dryer with CF-PCM proved to be the most effective method for Sandfish preserving.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 5","pages":"485 - 499"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606517","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":"Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of a Solar Artificial Air Vortex Generator under the Influence of Varying Air Inlet Number and Generation Area","authors":"Manal N. Jabber, Ali A. Ismaeel, Iman S. Kareem","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25601139","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25601139","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many researchers have turned to studying and developing vortex technologies for generating clean electrical energy. Vortex technologies generate an upward swirling air stream when operating in a moderate temperature range. The conventional air solar collector with a swirling engine is inadequate for creating and keeping updrafts by a previous design. The solar air vortex generator (SAVG) is one of the new alternative energies utilising solar energy to create artificial vortices (AV). The principle of its operation is similar to that of the solar updraft tower (SUT) plan. The research sought to propose, design, and optimise an artificial air vortex generator (AAVG) system by performing a set of calculations using the ANSYS 2024 R1 simulation software. Therefore, there are two aims in this research the first one is the effect of the engine diameter of the solar air vortex generator (SAVG) system in one air inflow slot and the second aim is to study the effect of the number of air inflow slots on artificial air velocity vortex flow behaviour inside the (SAVG) model in single guide blades, these facts were not mentioned in previous studies. Reducing the diameter of the solar air vortex generator (SAVG) system in one slot inflow for [36] by 50% of its dimension can generally increase its kinetic energy, specifically its rotational kinetic energy reaching 1.712 m/s, meanwhile, the results showed that the four slots inflow played a significant role in improving the strength of the generated vortex and increasing its outflow velocity to 5.635 m/s with an enhancement of about 3.5 times of one slot inflow.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 5","pages":"512 - 528"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606523","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}
Amit Kumar Bhagat, Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy, Ravi Kumar Goyal
{"title":"Solar Photovoltaic Systems Enhanced by Composite Phase Change Materials and Thermoelectric Generators: A Critical Review","authors":"Amit Kumar Bhagat, Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy, Ravi Kumar Goyal","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X2560033X","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X2560033X","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with thermoelectric generator (TEG) and composite phase change material (CPCM) represents a transformative approach to overcoming the inefficiencies associated with standalone solar technologies. This review critically analyzes recent advances in hybrid SPV-TEG-CPCM systems, focusing on material innovations, system configurations, and their collective impact on energy efficiency and thermal regulation. The novelty of this integration lies in its ability to harness waste heat from SPV modules and utilize it for secondary power generation and thermal storage, thus improving energy conversion rates and ensuring operational stability under fluctuating environmental conditions. The paper synthesizes state-of-the-art research, highlights technical challenges, and outlines future research directions, offering a structured and in-depth perspective for researchers and engineers.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 6","pages":"655 - 679"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606736","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":"Performance Analysis of Single-Slope Solar Stills Enhanced with Nanoparticles and Internal Reflectors","authors":"Mohammad Abu Abbas, Atia Khalifa","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25603552","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25603552","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Solar stills are simple and environmentally friendly devices for small-scale freshwater production, but their productivity and energy efficiency are often limited. This study aims to evaluate the combined influence of internal reflectors and aluminum oxide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) nanofluid on the energy, exergy and economic performance of a single-slope solar still. A transient numerical model is developed for a conventional single-slope solar still and three modified configurations: with Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanofluid, with internal reflectors, and with both modifications. The model solves the coupled energy balance equations for the basin liner, saline water and glass cover, and incorporates standard correlations for convective, evaporative and radiative heat transfer. Nanofluid properties are evaluated for an Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Exergy transfer and exergy destruction are calculated for each component. Simulations are carried out for a typical day in March under Dhahran climatic conditions, and the model is validated against published experimental data. The combined configuration with internal reflectors and Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanofluid achieves the highest daily water productivity (4.258 L/m<sup>2</sup> day) and daily energy efficiency (52.3%), compared with 2.758 L/m<sup>2</sup> day and 33.9% for the conventional still. The basin liner is identified as the dominant site of exergy destruction. A preliminary economic assessment indicates shorter payback time for the enhanced configurations. Internal reflectors provide the largest performance gains by increasing incident solar energy, while Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanofluid offers additional improvement by enhancing internal heat transfer. Their combination yields the best overall energy, exergy and economic performance, and highlights the importance of integrated optical and thermal enhancements in solar still design.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 6","pages":"715 - 738"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606836","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}
D. D. Gulamova, S. Z. Mirzaev, S. Kh. Bobokulov, E. B. Eshonkulov
{"title":"Properties of Heterophase Bi/Pb Ceramics Synthesized Using Solar Energy in the Temperature Range of 80–340 K","authors":"D. D. Gulamova, S. Z. Mirzaev, S. Kh. Bobokulov, E. B. Eshonkulov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25604053","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25604053","url":null,"abstract":"<p>For the synthesis of precursors and ceramics with the nominal composition Bi<sub>1.7</sub>Pb<sub>0.3</sub>Sr<sub>2</sub>Ca<sub>29</sub>Cu<sub>30</sub>Oᵧ, the solar gradient melt alloy quenching technology was employed. The obtained precursors and ceramics expel a magnet along the direction of the external magnetic field. This expulsion effect is also observed under the action of a directed light flux. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a layered morphology of the precursors and ceramics, featuring caverns formed within the volume of the plate-like layers. Submicron-sized particles are located inside these caverns. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the existence of superconducting homologous phases differing in stoichiometry. Such a structure can be interpreted as quasi-heterophase. Electrical resistance and magnetic properties were investigated in the temperature range of 79–460 K under ambient air conditions. Anomalous changes in resistance and magnetic induction were detected at temperatures of 280, 320, and 420 K. Ceramics are subject to thermal treatment for 1–3 h exhibit behavior characteristic of semiconductors, namely a decrease in resistance with increasing temperature. However, after thermal treatment exceeding 24 h, a transition to a superconducting-type dependence is observed. Samples that were not subject to annealing (i.e., retaining defects formed during melt quenching) demonstrate transitions at temperatures above 200 K. An explanation for the formation of high-temperature superconductivity (HTSC) is proposed based on the formation of a system of homologous phases constituting a quasi-heterophase system.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 6","pages":"739 - 747"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606837","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":"Numerical Evaluation of Fin Configurations in PCM-Based Thermal Energy Storage","authors":"N. I. Juraboev, Kh. S. Ahmadov, J. S. Akhatov","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25600389","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25600389","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Thermal energy storage (TES) systems have become advanced technologies for storing and releasing thermal energy during periods of imbalance between energy generation from renewable energy sources and consumption. Phase change materials (PCM) have the capability to store significant amount of thermal energy through latent heat absorption and release. However, thermal energy storage (TES) systems should be designed to accelerate the melting process of the phase change materials. In this study, the influences different fin designs (annular shaped, longitudinal shaped, extruded shaped) on the heat transfer process and phase transition characteristics of a PCM in Latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems are numerically investigated using finite element method (FEM). Additionally, only charging process was considered in this comparative analysis. Through the thermal assessment, it was found that Model 4 LHTES with extruded fin demonstrated more uniform temperature distribution and faster phase transition during 6-h time interval when compared to other designs of fins. The complete melting of PCM within the Model 4 LHTES with extruded fin was observed at around 3 h and 20 min, whereas the PCM in Model 3 LHTES with longitudinal fins fully transitioned to the liquid at the 3 h and 42 min. In contrast, the PCM in the Model 2 LHTES with annular fins had entirely melted at 4 h, the melting process on Model 1 LHTES without fins was still continue during 6 h period. These numerical results facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of key aspects of fins integration to optimizing future LHTES system design.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 5","pages":"537 - 551"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606602","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":"Evaluation of a Solar Energy-Driven Chimney-Based Natural Ventilation Evaporative Cooling System for Energy-Efficient Pig Housing Across Growth Stages","authors":"Siboniso Zakwe, Tilahun Seyoum Workneh","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25601206","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25601206","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study aims to evaluate a solar chimney-based natural ventilation evaporative cooling (NVEC) system in pig housing environments as a low-cost and sustainable solar energy solution for cooling pig housing environments across growth stages. The system was tested in four pig growth stages: weaning, nursery, growing, and finishing. The results showed that solar energy-driven chimney ventilation can maintain a desirable thermal environment for pigs at weaning, nursery, and growing stages, but cannot for pigs at the finishing stage, as they require a much cooler environment. There is a significantly strong positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.96, <i>p</i> < 0.05) between solar chimney temperature and ventilation rate, highlighting the significance of solar thermal energy in the solar chimney to initiate and facilitate airflow, and passively remove heat from the pig house environment. Solar chimney ventilation had a 37% energy-saving efficiency compared to traditional ventilation, which could improve pig farmers’ economic viability. The solar chimney ventilation system is limited to pig barns and applies to different livestock facilities. This study not only promotes the integration of solar thermal energy into regulating thermal environment in livestock facilities, but also promotes efficient energy use, environmentally friendly initiatives and sustainability in livestock farming.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 6","pages":"748 - 766"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606733","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}
A. O. Oblakulov, O. Trukhina, V. Vasylkovskyi, P. Dörflinger, V. V. Dyakonov, N. R. Ashurov, I. N. Nurgaliev
{"title":"The Multifunctional Role of Thiourea in Enhancing Crystallinity and Charge Carrier Dynamics in Perovskite Solar Cells","authors":"A. O. Oblakulov, O. Trukhina, V. Vasylkovskyi, P. Dörflinger, V. V. Dyakonov, N. R. Ashurov, I. N. Nurgaliev","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25603680","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25603680","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study systematically investigates the role of thiourea (TU) as an additive in optimizing the performance of (FAPbI<sub>3</sub>)<sub>0.85</sub>(MAPbBr<sub>3</sub>)<sub>0.15</sub> perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using controlled fabrication in an inert glove-box environment, we examined how varying TU concentrations (0–0.15 mM) influences film morphology, crystallinity, and photovoltaic performance. More specifically, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements revealed that 0.1 mM TU significantly enhances film quality, producing larger, more uniform grains (∼2 μm) with improved crystallographic orientation along the (001) and (002) planes with less pinholes. The champion solar cell devices achieved a PCE of 19% with Voc = 1.11 V, Jsc = 23.5 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, and FF = 73%, representing a significant improvement over the control device (PCE of 15.5%). These findings offer practical guidelines for the application of morphology-advancing additives in perovskite photovoltaics and contribute to the development of more efficient and stable solar energy conversion devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 6","pages":"623 - 631"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606524","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}
Madjeda Ramdani, Ahmed Djafour, El Mouatez Billah Messini
{"title":"Experimental Investigation and Economic Analysis of Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production Using Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis in Desert Climates: A Case Study in Ouargla, Algeria","authors":"Madjeda Ramdani, Ahmed Djafour, El Mouatez Billah Messini","doi":"10.3103/S0003701X25600274","DOIUrl":"10.3103/S0003701X25600274","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hydrogen, when produced from renewable energy sources (RES), emerges as a highly desirable and sustainable fuel, offering a pathway toward decarbonizing energy systems. Among the various methods of green hydrogen generation, water electrolysis powered by renewable energy stands out as the most environmentally benign approach. This study presents experimental findings and software modeling developed in MATLAB for a small-scale solar hydrogen generation system utilizing proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis. The experiments were conducted in the Ouargla region of southeastern Algeria, characterized by its arid desert climate, to evaluate the system’s performance under real-world conditions. The system integrates two NM 54 polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels, each with a capacity of 250 W, a power control unit equipped with DC-DC converters, and a PEM electrolyzer. Key experimental results revealed that the system produced approximately 295 dm<sup>3</sup> of hydrogen during the trial period. These findings provide a foundational benchmark for scaling up and optimizing hydrogen production systems capable of year-round operation in similar climatic conditions. In addition to the technical analysis, an economic assessment was conducted to estimate the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCoH). Sensitivity analysis highlighted the significant influence of the electrolyzer’s capital cost on the LCoH. The projected results indicate that the cost of producing hydrogen from solar energy in Ouargla is economically competitive, with an estimated LCoH of $8.8 per kilogram of hydrogen. This study underscores the feasibility of solar-driven hydrogen production in desert regions and contributes valuable insights for advancing renewable hydrogen technologies in resource-abundant areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":475,"journal":{"name":"Applied Solar Energy","volume":"61 5","pages":"609 - 622"},"PeriodicalIF":1.204,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147606522","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}