Progress in Solar Thermal Systems and Their Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The use of solar thermal systems (STSs) has recently reached a significant edge. The increasing research on developing an alternative power supply for limiting fossil fuel usage and climate change are the driving forces of STSs. The current work explores the recent progress in STSs’ applications, including PV/T or “photovoltaic/thermal” systems, zero-energy buildings, greenhouse solar thermal applications, solar thermal for pumping water, solar thermal refrigerators, solar chimneys, water desalination, and solar collectors, along with the benefits and challenges of these applications. Then, the potential contribution of STSs in achieving the various SDGs or “Sustainable development goals”, including barriers and research gaps, are elaborated. In brief, STSs significantly contribute to the seventeen SDGs’ achievement directly and indirectly. Recent developments in the engineering applications of STSs are strongly based on the materials of construction, as well as their design, process optimisation, and integration with multidisciplinary sciences and technologies such as modelling, nanoscience/nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

Energetic Valorization of the Innovative Building Envelope: An Overviews of the Electric Production System Optimization

“…As a result, it yields valuable perspectives on the complexities essential for future studies, be they related to internal dynamics or external factors impacting the system. [44] Inexpensive and convenient [44] It keeps the architectural uniformity on roofs [45] Installation cost may be reduced for the need of only one system to be installed instead of two systems [45] Lower space utilization than the two systems alone [45] Reduce the temperature of the photovoltaic panels and take advantage of the excess heat [8] Abundance of raw materials [46] The [3] Need for an energy storage system to address the issues of intermittency and meet local energy needs [4] Accumulated dust can reduce power output and therefore system efficiency [4] Improving the optical properties of the working fluid can improve efficiency [8] The better the performance of the PVT system, the higher the transmittance of visible light and solar infrared rays absorbed.…”

“…Photovoltaic and thermal panels integrated in the roof Solar thermal systems (STSs) have significantly improved efficiency compared to their earlier versions. The driving force behind the advancement of STSs lies in the expanding research on alternative energy sources, recognized as an integral component of low-carbon energy systems essential for generating affordable and reliable electricity [3]. This section delves into the latest developments in STS applications, mainly focusing on PV/T or "photovoltaic/thermal" systems-currently the most widely employed green energy technology for power production.…”

Energetic Valorization of the Innovative Building Envelope: An Overview of Electric Production System Optimization

“…Photovoltaic and Thermal Panels Integrated with the Roof Solar thermal systems (STSs) have significantly improved efficiency compared to their earlier versions. The driving force behind the advancement of STSs lies in the expanding research on alternative energy sources, recognized as an integral component of low-carbon energy systems essential for generating affordable and reliable electricity [4]. This section delves into the latest developments in STS applications, mainly focusing on PVT (i.e., photovoltaic thermal collectors) or "photovoltaic/thermal" systems-currently the most widely employed green energy technology for power production.…”

“…Multi-purpose: both the electricity and heat energy can be obtained from the same system [44] PVT (see line 68) system has better efficiency than the PV system [9] Flexible and efficient [44] Can help reduce fossil fuel consumption [4] Has wide application area [44] Inexpensive and convenient [44] Keeps the architectural uniformity on roofs [45] Installation cost may be reduced for the need of only one system to be installed instead of two systems [45] Lower space utilization than the two systems alone [45] Reduce the temperature of the photovoltaic panels and take advantage of the excess heat [9] Abundance of raw materials [46] The cost of installation can be relatively high [44] The absence of the sun at night and cloudy days [47] PVT systems intermittently produce energy depending on weather [4] Need for an energy storage system to address the issues of intermittency and meet local energy needs [5] Accumulated dust can reduce power output and therefore system efficiency [5] Improving the optical properties of the working fluid can improve efficiency [9] The better the performance of the PVT system, the higher the transmittance of visible light and solar infrared rays absorbed [9] The thermal energy generated by the system can be converted to electrical energy by the Peltier effect [33] It can be integrated into a building and forms a part of the building (BIPVT) [48] PVT systems integrated into the building envelope avoid additional land use [6] Can be integrated with other energy sources for enhanced efficiency [4] Can be coupled with another electricity production system [33] Applying PV systems to the roof can markedly decrease the heat flux through the roof [7] Planning of site and orientation [5] Exposure to the elements and risk of premature deterioration [46] The efficiency of the modules varies significantly depending on weather conditions, climate, and the presence of shading effects [7,46] Thermal losses within the photovoltaic panel [33] Overproduction of electricity [46] Algae (i.e., through photobioreactor facade panel systems and PBRs in Table 2) offer a promising energy source. Photobioreac...…”

Energy Storage for Water Desalination Systems Based on Renewable Energy Resources

“…Conventionally, WDPs are powered using fossil fuels, which account for climate change and acid rain by releasing greenhouse gases and a number of harmful emissions. Furthermore, as the currently finite resources of fossil fuels deplete, the need to introduce other energy resources is critical for energy security, as well as for future sustainable development [50]. The recovery of waste heat dissipated from thermal power plants can be employed for supplying potable water by improving the overall system efficiency and mitigating environmental pollution as a result of reducing the burning of fossil fuels [51,52].…”