Solar energy utilisation: current status and roll-out potential
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
To meet the well-known energy transition challenge, a rapid shift from fossil fuels to the broader exploitation of renewable energy sources is needed; solar energy represents the most abundant and readily available resource amongst the renewable energy sources. This vision paper aims at shedding light on the current knowledge and emerging pathways for solar energy utilisation. Specifically, after a general introduction and a brief overview of the current knowledge, open issues are discussed regarding photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors, building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems, concentrating solar power plants, solar thermochemistry, solar-driven water distillation, and solar thermal energy storage technologies. Subsequentially, this vision article defines key fundamental challenges that need to be addressed for these technologies to play a significant role in future sustainable energy systems. The identified challenges include developing new materials, enhanced performance, accelerated system installation and improved manufacturing processes, combining solar energy with other clean energy production and storage systems, and integrating solar energy utilisation with local energy utilisation patterns.
Date Issued
2022-06-05
Date Acceptance
2022-02-23
Citation
Applied Thermal Engineering, 2022, 209
ISSN
1359-4311
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Applied Thermal Engineering
Volume
209
Copyright Statement
Copyright © Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
ADVANCEMENT
BIPV
Concentrating solar power
Energy & Fuels
Engineering
Engineering, Mechanical
Mechanics
Physical Sciences
PV
Science & Technology
Solar distillation
Solar thermal energy storage
Solar thermochemistry
SYSTEMS
T
Technology
Thermodynamics
TOWER TECHNOLOGY
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
118285
Date Publish Online
2022-03-03