University of TehranJournal of Solar Energy Research2588-309710SI: Emerging Trends in Photothermal Conversion for Solar Energy Harvesting20250301A Comparative Analysis of Standard and Flat Reflector Integrated Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors for Hot Water Generation11110103710.22059/jser.2025.379565.1440ENGunjanKumarDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, UPL University of Sustainable Technology, Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India0000-0003-4662-5754AmitGalphadeFaculty of Engineering and Technology, Sigma University, Bakrol, Vadodara, IndiaAnkitSolankiDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, UPL University of Sustainable Technology, Ankleshwar, IndiaSandhyaBNDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, UPL University of Sustainable Technology, Ankleshwar, IndiaKaranVasavaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, UPL University of Sustainable Technology, Ankleshwar, IndiaJournal Article20240725The vital elements of solar thermal technology are solar collectors, which collect solar radiation and produce heat energy. They can be broadly divided into two categories: focused and non-focused. Parabolic trough collectors belong to the type of focused systems that accommodates reflected radiation into a centrally located receiver. Parabolic collectors are commonly employed to fulfill process heat requirements. This paper presents an experimental analysis of a parabolic solar concentrator using both flat and parabolic reflectors. This study investigates the practical performance of a standard and novel flat reflector integrated parabolic trough solar collector while maintaining identical operational conditions. The novel collector's maximum thermal efficiency is recorded as 55%, which is competitive with the standard parabolic trough collector's performance. The average temperature difference of working fluid is 6.85°C, indicating a 1.14°C increase compared to the standard parabolic trough collector that was examined. The findings of this work provides vital information to researchers and scientists working in this field.https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_101037_17e07daefe8b6ee31f109cbeeaa4d85a.pdfUniversity of TehranJournal of Solar Energy Research2588-309710SI: Emerging Trends in Photothermal Conversion for Solar Energy Harvesting20250301A Review On Cooling Techniques for Performance Improvement of Solar Photovoltaic Systems124410222410.22059/jser.2025.384682.1490ENGanesh ShaligramWahileGovernment College of engineering Amaravati Maharashtra
Assistant professor Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of engineering Shegaon Maharashtra0000-0002-4925-0049Shrikant DLondheDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India 4450010000-0002-0702-2822Prateek DeomanMalweDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India 4110180000-0003-4576-9318FerozShaikDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia0000-0002-9174-4819Journal Article20241108The solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation has gained the popularity over the years with reduction in cost of manufacturing of solar cells. However, the performance of solar cells degrades with absorption of solar radiation and consequent rise in its temperature. Thus, thermal management of the PV modules that utilize some form of cooling to maintain operating temperature of cells nearer to ambient has been the object of research for some years. The cooling methods include passive cooling, active cooling and the combination of both passive and active cooling methods. This paper initially deliberates on different commercially employed solar cells and the ill-effect of increase in temperature on their performance. It is followed by the comprehensive review of literature pertaining to cooling of solar panels covering all the proposed methods to bring out state of the art in this field. The review would be useful in making the right decision while selecting the suitable method of cooling depending on local climatic conditions, economical alternatives and the resources available. It would be equally useful for the researchers working in the field to take up research on innovative, economical and sustainable cooling solutions for PV modules.https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_102224_a6f00cbbbaff2843931f9013e7740b3e.pdfUniversity of TehranJournal of Solar Energy Research2588-309710SI: Emerging Trends in Photothermal Conversion for Solar Energy Harvesting20250301Spectroscopic Analysis of Water-Based TiO2 and ZnO Nanofluid for Fluid-Based Beam Split Photovoltaic-thermal System455510225010.22059/jser.2025.379717.1445ENPushparaj RJiwanapurkarDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. India0000-0001-9138-2996Hitesh ABhargavDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, BVM Engineering College, Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat. India0000-0001-6204-4058Journal Article20240722Traditional photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems struggle to simultaneously maximize electrical and thermal efficiencies due to inherent heating issues and incomplete utilization of the solar spectrum. Although nanofluid-based direct absorption methods have been explored, they remain limited by insufficient spectral control and rising cell temperatures. To overcome these challenges, this research investigates the development of a fluid-based spectral beam splitting (SBS) system using water-based titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofluids as low-cost, tuneable optical filters for beam-split PVT (BSPVT) applications. Twelve nanofluid samples with concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% were prepared and analysed using UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometry across 200–2500 nm. The objective is to assess the optical properties of TiO₂ and ZnO nanofluids and identify a suitable nanofluid composition capable of effectively separating the solar spectrum to enhance both electrical and thermal outputs. The results show that the TiO₂ nanofluid at 0.04% concentration provides optimal spectral filtering performance, achieving up to a 74 % transmissivity. Additionally, water's inherent transparency between 751–1126 nm makes it an ideal base fluid silicon PV cell’s responsive range. This study establishes a foundation for developing high-efficiency, low-cost SBS-PVT systems with tuneable energy output profiles.https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_102250_2ee40623e0e9548c373f3067c80b911c.pdfUniversity of TehranJournal of Solar Energy Research2588-309710SI: Emerging Trends in Photothermal Conversion for Solar Energy Harvesting20250301Sustainable Cooling Technique for Maximizing Performance of Photovoltaic Panel in The Hot Climate of Rajasthan567110306610.22059/jser.2025.389945.1524ENLalitJyaniDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, MBM University Jodhpur, India0009-0009-0560-2645KailashChaudharyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, MBM University, Jodhpur,India0000-0003-2005-9037KamleshPurohitDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, MBM University, Jodhpur, India0000-0003-3355-0394ShivangiSharmaBirmingham Energy Institute, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B155 2TT, United Kingdom0000-0002-6816-0954Journal Article20250204This study evaluates the performance of an automated water cooling system to enhance the performance of a Photovoltaic (PV) panel in the climatic conditions of Rajasthan. A 105-watt photovoltaic system with integrated electrical, mechanical and control components was developed and tested. MATLAB was used to simulate panel performance under different sunlight and temperature conditions. Using two Identical panels, one cooled and the other noncooled, the system operated for 3 minutes every hour during daylight. Results showed a 3.6% increase in energy output and a 3.57°C reduction in panel temperature for the cooled system. With just 27 minutes of daily operation, the cooling method proved significantly more efficient than those in previous studies. The findings highlight the potential of automated water cooling in optimizing PV performance under high temperature conditions like Rajasthan, contributing to sustainable and efficient solar energy generation. This approach combines simplicity, low operating time, and measurable performance benefits.https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_103066_44d3aa5db65b996c405e503093f13a25.pdf