A Review of Solar Collectors and Thermal Energy Storage in Solar Thermal Applications

Abstract

Solar thermal applications are gaining increasing interest within the field of renewable energy
research due to their potential for high energy conversion efficiency and large energy storage
density. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in solar
thermal applications, focusing on two key components: solar collectors and thermal energy
storage systems. The paper discusses various types of solar collectors, including nonconcentrating collectors for low-temperature applications and concentrating collectors for
high-temperature applications. Furthermore, the review explores different types of thermal
energy storage systems, such as sensible heat storage, latent heat storage, chemical storage,
and cascaded storage. The paper concludes by providing an overview of existing and future
solar power stations, highlighting the growing importance of solar thermal technologies in the
transition towards a sustainable energy future