IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i17p6153-d1224014.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Solar Energy Harnessing Technologies towards De-Carbonization: A Systematic Review of Processes and Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Pavlos Nikolaidis

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, P.O. Box 50329, Limassol 3603, Cyprus)

Abstract

Solar energy, derived from the inexhaustible energy of the sun, has emerged as a promising solution to mitigate the environmental challenges posed by fossil fuel consumption and global climate change. This work explores the underlying principles of solar energy exploitation, focusing on energy collection technologies as the primary means of solar energy conversion. The physics of the state-of-the-art mechanisms, the photovoltaic effect, and the advancements that have driven the transformation of solar energy into a viable and sustainable alternative energy source are also examined. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and pioneering research, this study highlights the immense potential of solar energy and its role in shaping a cleaner, greener future. Towards de-carbonization, the various exploitation technologies are divided into direct and indirect in order to optimize resource utilization. Accounting for the most important advantages presented, solar-based utilization processes are perhaps the only ones that provide access to energy for all to satisfy their vital needs. As nations continue to embrace solar energy and invest in its development, we move closer to achieving a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world for generations to come.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavlos Nikolaidis, 2023. "Solar Energy Harnessing Technologies towards De-Carbonization: A Systematic Review of Processes and Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-39, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6153-:d:1224014
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6153/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6153/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shubbak, Mahmood H., 2019. "Advances in solar photovoltaics: Technology review and patent trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    2. Vanschoenwinkel, Janka & Lizin, Sebastien & Swinnen, Gilbert & Azadi, Hossein & Van Passel, Steven, 2014. "Solar cooking in Senegalese villages: An application of best–worst scaling," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 447-458.
    3. Tan, Zhimin & Feng, Xiao & Wang, Yufei, 2021. "Performance comparison of different heat pumps in low-temperature waste heat recovery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    4. Zhang, Ji & Xu, Le & Shabunko, Veronika & Tay, Stephen En Rong & Sun, Huixuan & Lau, Stephen Siu Yu & Reindl, Thomas, 2019. "Impact of urban block typology on building solar potential and energy use efficiency in tropical high-density city," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 513-533.
    5. Lin, Yaxue & Alva, Guruprasad & Fang, Guiyin, 2018. "Review on thermal performances and applications of thermal energy storage systems with inorganic phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PA), pages 685-708.
    6. Meah, Kala & Fletcher, Steven & Ula, Sadrul, 2008. "Solar photovoltaic water pumping for remote locations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 472-487, February.
    7. Hu, Mingke & Zhao, Bin & Ao, Xianze & Ren, Xiao & Cao, Jingyu & Wang, Qiliang & Su, Yuehong & Pei, Gang, 2020. "Performance assessment of a trifunctional system integrating solar PV, solar thermal, and radiative sky cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    8. Sara Pascual & Pilar Lisbona & Luis M. Romeo, 2022. "Thermal Energy Storage in Concentrating Solar Power Plants: A Review of European and North American R&D Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-32, November.
    9. Giorgos S. Georgiou & Pavlos Nikolaidis & Soteris A. Kalogirou & Paul Christodoulides, 2020. "A Hybrid Optimization Approach for Autonomy Enhancement of Nearly-Zero-Energy Buildings Based on Battery Performance and Artificial Neural Networks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    10. Ma, Zhiwen & Davenport, Patrick & Saur, Genevieve, 2022. "System and technoeconomic analysis of solar thermochemical hydrogen production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 294-308.
    11. Gao, Xuerui & Liu, Jiahong & Zhang, Jun & Yan, Jinyue & Bao, Shujun & Xu, He & Qin, Tao, 2013. "Feasibility evaluation of solar photovoltaic pumping irrigation system based on analysis of dynamic variation of groundwater table," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 182-193.
    12. Chandel, S.S. & Nagaraju Naik, M. & Chandel, Rahul, 2015. "Review of solar photovoltaic water pumping system technology for irrigation and community drinking water supplies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 1084-1099.
    13. Pavlos Nikolaidis & Andreas Poullikkas, 2022. "A Thorough Emission-Cost Analysis of the Gradual Replacement of Carbon-Rich Fuels with Carbon-Free Energy Carriers in Modern Power Plants: The Case of Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    14. Anand, B. & Shankar, R. & Murugavelh, S. & Rivera, W. & Midhun Prasad, K. & Nagarajan, R., 2021. "A review on solar photovoltaic thermal integrated desalination technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    15. Pavlos Nikolaidis & Harris Partaourides, 2021. "A Model Predictive Control for the Dynamical Forecast of Operating Reserves in Frequency Regulation Services," Forecasting, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-14, March.
    16. Hoskins, Amanda L. & Millican, Samantha L. & Czernik, Caitlin E. & Alshankiti, Ibraheam & Netter, Judy C. & Wendelin, Timothy J. & Musgrave, Charles B. & Weimer, Alan W., 2019. "Continuous on-sun solar thermochemical hydrogen production via an isothermal redox cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C), pages 368-376.
    17. Aramesh, Mohamad & Ghalebani, Mehdi & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Zamani, Hosein & Lorenzini, Giulio & Mahian, Omid & Wongwises, Somchai, 2019. "A review of recent advances in solar cooking technology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 419-435.
    18. Rahimi, M. & Ardahaie, S. Saedi & Hosseini, M.J. & Gorzin, M., 2020. "Energy and exergy analysis of an experimentally examined latent heat thermal energy storage system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1845-1860.
    19. Ge, T.S. & Wang, R.Z. & Xu, Z.Y. & Pan, Q.W. & Du, S. & Chen, X.M. & Ma, T. & Wu, X.N. & Sun, X.L. & Chen, J.F., 2018. "Solar heating and cooling: Present and future development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1126-1140.
    20. Morstyn, Thomas & Chilcott, Martin & McCulloch, Malcolm D., 2019. "Gravity energy storage with suspended weights for abandoned mine shafts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 201-206.
    21. Liu, Ming & Steven Tay, N.H. & Bell, Stuart & Belusko, Martin & Jacob, Rhys & Will, Geoffrey & Saman, Wasim & Bruno, Frank, 2016. "Review on concentrating solar power plants and new developments in high temperature thermal energy storage technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1411-1432.
    22. Alva, Guruprasad & Lin, Yaxue & Fang, Guiyin, 2018. "An overview of thermal energy storage systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 341-378.
    23. Meah, Kala & Ula, Sadrul & Barrett, Steven, 2008. "Solar photovoltaic water pumping--opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 1162-1175, May.
    24. Nikolaidis, Pavlos & Poullikkas, Andreas, 2021. "A novel cluster-based spinning reserve dynamic model for wind and PV power reinforcement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    25. Luka Budin & Goran Grdenić & Marko Delimar, 2021. "A Quadratically Constrained Optimization Problem for Determining the Optimal Nominal Power of a PV System in Net-Metering Model: A Case Study for Croatia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Muhsen, Dhiaa Halboot & Khatib, Tamer & Nagi, Farrukh, 2017. "A review of photovoltaic water pumping system designing methods, control strategies and field performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 70-86.
    2. Aliyu, Mansur & Hassan, Ghassan & Said, Syed A. & Siddiqui, Muhammad U. & Alawami, Ali T. & Elamin, Ibrahim M., 2018. "A review of solar-powered water pumping systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 61-76.
    3. Xue, Jinlin, 2017. "Photovoltaic agriculture - New opportunity for photovoltaic applications in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1-9.
    4. Mohammed Wazed, Saeed & Hughes, Ben Richard & O’Connor, Dominic & Kaiser Calautit, John, 2018. "A review of sustainable solar irrigation systems for Sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1206-1225.
    5. Yu, Yingdong & Liu, Jiahong & Wang, Ying & Xiang, Chenyao & Zhou, Jinjun, 2018. "Practicality of using solar energy for cassava irrigation in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 31-41.
    6. Jouda Arfaoui & Hegazy Rezk & Mujahed Al-Dhaifallah & Feki Elyes & Mami Abdelkader, 2019. "Numerical Performance Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System under Partial Shading Condition using Modern Optimization," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Parvaresh Rizi, Atefeh & Ashrafzadeh, Afshin & Ramezani, Azita, 2019. "A financial comparative study of solar and regular irrigation pumps: Case studies in eastern and southern Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1096-1103.
    8. López-Luque, R. & Reca, J. & Martínez, J., 2015. "Optimal design of a standalone direct pumping photovoltaic system for deficit irrigation of olive orchards," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 13-23.
    9. Guo, Yongpeng & Chen, Jing & Song, Hualong & Zheng, Ke & Wang, Jian & Wang, Hongsheng & Kong, Hui, 2024. "A review of solar thermochemical cycles for fuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    10. Mendecka, Barbara & Cozzolino, Raffaello & Leveni, Martina & Bella, Gino, 2019. "Energetic and exergetic performance evaluation of a solar cooling and heating system assisted with thermal storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 816-829.
    11. Du, Kun & Calautit, John & Eames, Philip & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "A state-of-the-art review of the application of phase change materials (PCM) in Mobilized-Thermal Energy Storage (M-TES) for recovering low-temperature industrial waste heat (IWH) for distributed heat," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1040-1057.
    12. Gao, Datong & Zhao, Bin & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Hao, Yong & Pei, Gang, 2022. "The spatial and temporal mismatch phenomenon in solar space heating applications: status and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    13. Silva, Marcos Dornelas Freitas Machado e & Calijuri, Maria Lúcia & Sales, Francisco José Ferreira de & Souza, Mauro Henrique Batalha de & Lopes, Lucas Sampaio, 2014. "Integration of technologies and alternative sources of water and energy to promote the sustainability of urban landscapes," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 71-81.
    14. Zhao, Yongliang & Song, Jian & Liu, Ming & Zhao, Yao & Olympios, Andreas V. & Sapin, Paul & Yan, Junjie & Markides, Christos N., 2022. "Thermo-economic assessments of pumped-thermal electricity storage systems employing sensible heat storage materials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 431-456.
    15. Rawat, Rahul & Kaushik, S.C. & Lamba, Ravita, 2016. "A review on modeling, design methodology and size optimization of photovoltaic based water pumping, standalone and grid connected system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1506-1519.
    16. Li, Han & Li, Jinchao & Kong, Xiangfei & Long, Hao & Yang, Hua & Yao, Chengqiang, 2020. "A novel solar thermal system combining with active phase-change material heat storage wall (STS-APHSW): Dynamic model, validation and thermal performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    17. Li, Chuan & Li, Qi & Ding, Yulong, 2019. "Investigation on the thermal performance of a high temperature packed bed thermal energy storage system containing carbonate salt based composite phase change materials," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 374-388.
    18. Jayathunga, D.S. & Karunathilake, H.P. & Narayana, M. & Witharana, S., 2024. "Phase change material (PCM) candidates for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) based thermal applications - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    19. Daniarta, Sindu & Nemś, Magdalena & Kolasiński, Piotr, 2023. "A review on thermal energy storage applicable for low- and medium-temperature organic Rankine cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PA).
    20. Xu, Y.X. & Yan, J. & Zhao, C.Y., 2022. "Investigation on application temperature zone and exergy loss regulation based on MgCO3/MgO thermochemical heat storage and release process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6153-:d:1224014. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.