Performance improvement and advancement studies of mixed-mode solar thermal dryers: a review

Solar thermal dryers are solar-operated gadgets utilized to dehumidify various products, especially food items and rubber sheets. This article provides detailed design, parametric studies, and an in-depth review of mixed-mode solar dryers (MMSD) with a case study of fish drying near coastal lines. Due to several advantages compared to open sun drying and prominent performance index compared to indirect and direct type solar dryers, mixed-mode solar dryers have large adaptability on the field. Moreover, mixed-mode solar thermal dryers with different augmentations are reviewed, for instance, mixed-mode solar dryers with evacuated tube collectors, phase change materials, ultraviolet rays stabilized housing, and dehumidifiers. The case study of fish drying near the coastal line of Gujarat, India has been carried out to study the present scenario of the drying activities. Hence, the objective of this review is to identify the capable mixed-mode solar dryer with heat recovery systems. Substantial reviews within the article suggest an essential need to implement the hybrid mixed-mode solar dryer cum distiller technology for small-scale enterprises that can simultaneously provide potable water near coastal lines along with drying of fishes from the solar dryer. Furthermore, future research demands such hybrid mixed-mode solar drying systems that strongly fulfill the requirements of local communities near coastal lines involved in fish drying activities.

     

Solar Fuels: Vision and Concepts

The world needs new, environmentally friendly and renewable fuels to allow an exchange from fossil fuels. The fuel must be made from cheap and ‘endless’ resources that are available everywhere. The new research area on solar fuels, which are made from solar energy and water, aims to meet this demand. The paper discusses why we need a solar fuel and why electricity is not enough; it proposes solar energy as the major renewable energy source to feed from. The present research strategies, involving direct, semi-direct and indirect approaches to produce solar fuels, are overviewed.     

Solar fuels: vision and concepts

The world needs new, environmentally friendly and renewable fuels to allow an exchange from fossil fuels. The fuel must be made from cheap and 'endless' resources that are available everywhere. The new research area on solar fuels, which are made from solar energy and water, aims to meet this demand. The paper discusses why we need a solar fuel and why electricity is not enough; it proposes solar energy as the major renewable energy source to feed from. The present research strategies, involving direct, semi-direct and indirect approaches to produce solar fuels, are overviewed.     

Design, engineering, and construction of photosynthetic microbial cell factories for renewable solar fuel production

There is an urgent need to develop sustainable solutions to convert solar energy into energy carriers used in the society. In addition to solar cells generating electricity, there are several options to generate solar fuels. This paper outlines and discusses the design and engineering of photosynthetic microbial systems for the generation of renewable solar fuels, with a focus on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms with the same type of photosynthesis as higher plants. Native and engineered cyanobacteria have been used by us and others as model systems to examine, demonstrate, and develop photobiological H(2) production. More recently, the production of carbon-containing solar fuels like ethanol, butanol, and isoprene have been demonstrated. We are using a synthetic biology approach to develop efficient photosynthetic microbial cell factories for direct generation of biofuels from solar energy. Present progress and advances in the design, engineering, and construction of such cyanobacterial cells for the generation of a portfolio of solar fuels, e.g., hydrogen, alcohols, and isoprene, are presented and discussed. Possibilities and challenges when introducing and using synthetic biology are highlighted.     

Design,Engineering, and Construction of Photosynthetic Microbial Cell Factories for Renewable Solar Fuel Production

There is an urgent need to develop sustainable solutions to convert solar energy into energy carriers used in the society. In addition to solar cells generating electricity, there are several options to generate solar fuels. This paper outlines and discusses the design and engineering of photosynthetic microbial systems for the generation of renewable solar fuels, with a focus on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms with the same type of photosynthesis as higher plants. Native and engineered cyanobacteria have been used by us and others as model systems to examine, demonstrate, and develop photobiological H₂ production. More recently, the production of carbon-containing solar fuels like ethanol, butanol, and isoprene have been demonstrated. We are using a synthetic biology approach to develop efficient photosynthetic microbial cell factories for direct generation of biofuels from solar energy. Present progress and advances in the design, engineering, and construction of such cyanobacterial cells for the generation of a portfolio of solar fuels, e.g., hydrogen, alcohols, and isoprene, are presented and discussed. Possibilities and challenges when introducing and using synthetic biology are highlighted.     

Effects of soiling and cleaning on the reflectance and solar heat gain of a light-colored roofing membrane

A roof with high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance (e.g., a white roof) stays cool in the sun, reducing cooling power demand in a conditioned building and increasing summertime comfort in an unconditioned building. The high initial solar reflectance of a white membrane roof (circa 0.8) can be lowered by deposition of soot, dust, and/or biomass (e.g., fungi or algae) to about 0.6; degraded solar reflectances range from 0.3 to 0.8, depending on exposure. We investigate the effects of soiling and cleaning on the solar spectral reflectances and solar absorptances of 15 initially white or light-gray polyvinyl chloride membrane samples taken from roofs across the United States. Black carbon and organic carbon were the two identifiable strongly absorbing contaminants on the membranes. Wiping was effective at removing black carbon, and less so at removing organic carbon. Rinsing and/or washing removed nearly all of the remaining soil layer, with the exception of (a) thin layers of organic carbon and (b) isolated dark spots of biomass. Bleach was required to clear these last two features. At the most soiled location on each membrane, the ratio of solar reflectance to unsoiled solar reflectance (a measure of cleanliness) ranged from 0.41 to 0.89 for the soiled samples; 0.53 to 0.95 for the wiped samples; 0.74 to 0.98 for the rinsed samples; 0.79 to 1.00 for the washed samples; and 0.94 to 1.02 for the bleached samples. However, the influences of membrane soiling and cleaning on roof heat gain are better gauged by fractional variations in solar absorptance. Solar absorptance ratios (indicating solar heat gain relative to that of an unsoiled membrane) ranged from 1.4 to 3.5 for the soiled samples; 1.1 to 3.1 for the wiped samples; 1.0 to 2.0 for the rinsed samples; 1.0 to 1.9 for the washed samples; and 0.9 to 1.3 for the bleached samples.     

Advancements in solar technologies for sustainable development of agricultural sector in India: a comprehensive review on challenges and opportunities

Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of people in India. The majority of the population in India is dependent (directly or indirectly) on agriculture as an occupation. The agriculture sector requires more freshwater and power for better yield in the current scenario. Nevertheless, the ever-increasing rate of energy consumption, limited fossil fuels, and rising pollution have made the expansion of renewable resources essential. Due to the suitable solar potential available in India, the deployment of solar energy has been more as compared to other renewable resources. The current study aims to discuss the various technologies, initiatives and policies of solar energy usage in agriculture. This work delivers an assessment of the advancement of solar energy vis-à-vis agricultural applications through the greenhouse concept and photovoltaic approach in India. Various agricultural applications of solar energy, such as solar water desalination system, solar water pumping system, solar crop dryer system for food safety, etc. are discussed as a means to promote solar-based technology. It also highlights the scenario of solar energy in India with important accomplishments, developmental approaches, and future potential. In-depth studies of various policies and government initiatives including those in research and development are also discussed. The current survey on solar technologies will be an aid to agribusiness frameworks to comprehend the statuses, obstructions, and extent of advancement. Finally, some future recommendations for further developments in this approach are discussed. This work sheds light on varied areas of solar energy-assisted agricultural systems as a potentially sustainable and eco-friendly pathway.

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Position-controlled III-V compound semiconductor nanowire solar cells by selective-area metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy

We demonstrate position-controlled III-V semiconductor nanowires (NWs) by using selective-area metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy and their application to solar cells. Efficiency of 4.23% is achieved for InP core-shell NW solar cells. We form a 'flexible NW array' without a substrate, which has the advantage of saving natural resources over conventional thin film photovoltaic devices. Four junction NW solar cells with over 50% efficiency are proposed and discussed.     

Artificial neural network-based output power prediction of grid-connected semitransparent photovoltaic system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The solar photovoltaic system is an emerging renewable energy resource. The performance of the solar photovoltaic system is predicted based on the...     

An experimental investigation of a water desalination unit using different microparticle-coated absorber plate: yield,thermal, economic,and environmental assessments

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to augment the performance of a solar desalination unit. To experimental examine this idea, a modified solar still with three...     

Position-Controlled III–V Compound Semiconductor Nanowire Solar Cells by Selective-Area Metal–Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy

We demonstrate position-controlled III–V semiconductor nanowires (NWs) by using selective-area metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy and their application to solar cells. Efficiency of 4.23% is achieved for InP core–shell NW solar cells. We form a ‘flexible NW array’ without a substrate, which has the advantage of saving natural resources over conventional thin film photovoltaic devices. Four junction NW solar cells with over 50% efficiency are proposed and discussed.     

Productivity,exergy, exergoeconomic,and enviroeconomic assessment of hybrid solar distiller using direct salty water heating

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this work, experimental work is presented on the performance of a hybrid solar distiller comprising solar still (SS) combined with parabolic trough...     

Performance enhancement of a solar still using a V-groove solar air collector—experimental study with energy,exergy, enviroeconomic,and exergoeconomic analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper intended to evaluate the performance of a new design of solar still integrated with a V-groove solar air collector. In this system, an air...     

Thin film solar cells: research in an industrial perspective

Electricity generation by photovoltaic conversion of sunlight is a technology in strong growth. The thin film technology is taking market share from the dominant silicon wafer technology. In this article, the market for photovoltaics is reviewed, the concept of photovoltaic solar energy conversion is discussed and more details are given about the present technological limitations of thin film solar cell technology. Special emphasis is given for solar cells which employ Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) and Cu(2)ZnSn(S,Se)(4) as the sunlight-absorbing layer.     

Providing an accurate global model for monthly solar radiation forecasting using artificial intelligence based on air quality index and meteorological data of different cities worldwide

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to present an exact model for predicting solar radiation worldwide through a general model. In this study, mean monthly global solar...     

A comprehensive review on space solar power satellite: an idiosyncratic approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Space solar power satellite (SSPS) is a prodigious energy system that collects and converts solar power to electric power in space, and then transmits...     

Solar photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue in water

In this study, a photocatalytic decolorization system equipped with immobilized TiO2 and illuminated by solar light was used to remove the color of wastewater. To examine the decoloring efficiency of this system, photocatalytic decolorization of an organic dye such as methylene blue was studied as an example. The effects of light source, pH, as well as the initial concentration of dye were also investigated. It was observed that the solution of methylene blue could be almost completely decolorized by the solar light/TiO2 film process while there was about 50% color remaining with solar irradiation only. In addition, it was found that the decoloring efficiency of solution was higher with solar light irradiation than with artificial UV light irradiation, even though the artificial UV light source supplied higher UV intensity at 254 nm. The color removal rate of methylene blue with solar light irradiation was almost twice that of artificial UV light irradiation. This phenomena was mainly attributed to that some visible light range of solar light was useful for exciting the methylene blue molecules adsorbed on TiO2 film, leading to a photosensitization process undergoing and decoloring efficiency promoted. This solar-assisted photocatalytic device showed potential application for decoloring organic dyes in wastewater.     

The effects of solar UV-B radiation on embryonic mortality and development in three boreal anurans (Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis and Bufo bufo).

Many species of amphibians have experienced population and range reductions. It has been hypothesized that sensitivity to UV-B may contribute to the population declines of some amphibian species. We performed field experiments to measure the effects of solar UV-B on the hatching success of three Finnish anuran species, the common frog (Rana temporaria), moor frog (Rana arvalis) and common toad (Bufo bufo). Further, the effects of natural UV-B radiation on survival of the tadpoles of the same three species of anurans were tested. A significant percentage of R. temporaria and B. bufo embryos survived when exposed to and protected from solar UV-B and hatching success was not affected by solar radiation. Elimination of solar UV-B significantly increased the hatching success of R. arvalis, but embryonic mortality was high in both treatments. The data indicates that under natural conditions, solar UV-B radiation influences embryo survival in R. arvalis, but has no effect on R. temporaria and B. bufo. Solar UV-B radiation had no effect on R. temporaria and R. arvalis tadpoles, but elimination of UV-B significantly increased survival of B. bufo tadpoles. It seems that ambient UV-radiation levels have no effect on R. temporaria but may affect R. arvalis and B. bufo at different developmental stages.     

Influence of particulate pollution on the positions of neutral points in the sky at Seville (Spain)

The most common neutral points in the solar vertical plane: the Babinet, the Brewster and the Arago were localized at Seville during five years on cloudless days. Their angular distances from the sun or the antisolar point were found to vary with solar altitude, wavelength and particulate pollution.     

几种新式太阳能光催化反应器的探讨

本文综述了几种新式的太阳能光催化反应器 ,对其结构和处理效果进行了比较 ,并对该法处理水的经济性进行简单的概述 ,指出光催化法是一种可以充分利用太阳能、具有很大发展潜力的水处理方法