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Open research questions in Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

59 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 401 Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The lack of understanding of the internal flow dynamics and thermal performance of acrylic solar spheres for concentrated solar power generation. The need for a novel combined experimental-numerical framework for analyzing thermo-fluid behavior inside a solar sphere concentrator.

    Experimental PIV Analysis and Numerical Simulation of Flow in Solar Spherical Systems for Enhanced Power Generation · 2026 · DOI

  • Addressing the limitations of standardized testing, durability over time, and techno-economic and life-cycle considerations. Investigating the performance of evacuated-tube solar collectors in various applications.

    Performance improvements of solar evacuated tube collectors: a literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • Key inconsistencies in the definition of baselines, test protocols, and reporting approaches affect inter-study comparability. The need for standardized testing and durability over time.

    Performance improvements of solar evacuated tube collectors: a literature review · 2026 · DOI

  • The rise in photovoltaic (PV) cell temperature affects the operating performance of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems. Limited studies have examined the combined effects of PCM thickness and melting temperatures on the energy and exergy performance of a hybrid PVT system.

    Energy-Exergy Analysis of a Hybrid PVT System with Varying PCM Thickness and Melting Temperature · 2026 · DOI

  • High operating costs associated with conventional vapor-compression air-conditioning systems. Peak demand stress and greenhouse gas emissions. Limited generation capacity, transmission constraints, and frequent outages in sub-Saharan Africa.

    A Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar-Powered Air-Conditioning Systems with Thermal Energy Storage for Cost Reduction in Tropical Regions · 2026 · DOI

  • The high cost of solar desalination. The limited efficiency of solar desalination. The need for standardized testing protocols for fiber-enhanced solar stills.

    Recent advances in fiber-enhanced solar stills: configurations, mathematical modeling, and performance enhancement strategies · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited heat transfer efficiency of LHS systems. High costs associated with the development and implementation of advanced thermal energy storage systems. Technical challenges related to the integration of dish-Stirling technology with LHS systems.

    Hybrid solar power system using stirling engine and phase change material for energy storage: design, optimization and efficiency enhancement · 2026 · DOI

  • The high temperature of solar panels can reduce their efficiency. The lack of effective cooling systems can limit the potential of solar energy generation.

    Performance of Photovoltaics Panel Without Cooling and with Water Cooling · 2026 · DOI

  • The utilization of solar power plants remains below 100 MW in Indonesia. There is a need to improve the efficiency of solar panels to increase their potential as a renewable energy source.

    Performance of Photovoltaics Panel Without Cooling and with Water Cooling · 2026 · DOI

  • Ongoing advancements in materials, storage systems, and automation are expected to improve system viability

    A Review on Parabolic Trough Collector for Solar Thermal Applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to enhance optical efficiency, heat transfer fluids, and thermal storage systems

    A Review on Parabolic Trough Collector for Solar Thermal Applications · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional cooling systems may be expensive or difficult to implement for small-scale applications. There is a need for a simple, low-cost, and efficient cooling method capable of improving solar panel performance in high-temperature climates.

    Enhancing Solar Panel Efficiency Using a Low-Cost Water Cooling System · 2026 · DOI

  • 1. Implement smart control systems for automatic cooling operation. 2. Investigate the use of recycled or gray water in the cooling process. 3. Perform Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis for improved thermal optimization. 4. Study the long-term durability of cooling components under desert conditions. 5. Explore hybrid photovoltaic-thermal applications.

    Enhancing Solar Panel Efficiency Using a Low-Cost Water Cooling System · 2026 · DOI

  • The experiments were conducted only from May to July, which does not represent annual operating conditions. The manuscript does not provide detailed information regarding solar radiation profiles, hourly irradiation data, and uncertainty in irradiance measurement. The research gap is not clearly defined.

    The Experimental Development of Solar Collector with Different Types of Nanofluid · 2026 · DOI

  • To conduct experiments over multiple seasons to evaluate the effect of changing solar and ambient conditions. To investigate the use of other nanoparticles to improve the thermal efficiency of solar collectors. To develop more efficient solar collectors using nanofluids.

    The Experimental Development of Solar Collector with Different Types of Nanofluid · 2026 · DOI

  • Traditional concentrating systems have significant energy losses due to defocusing, scattering, and optical losses - Solar thermal technology generates electricity indirectly

    LOCAL FRACTAL SOLAR THERMAL POWER STATION · 2026 · DOI

  • Experimental validation of the simulation results. Investigation of other Phase Change Materials and configurations. Development of more efficient PVT-PCM systems.

    Improved Performance Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems Using Paraffin-Based Phase Change Materials and Innovative Container Designs · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for more efficient solar collector systems. Prior work has not fully addressed the challenge of maintaining optimal thermal performance.

    Improved Performance Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems Using Paraffin-Based Phase Change Materials and Innovative Container Designs · 2026 · DOI

  • Conventional cooling methods have limitations, such as low thermal conductivity of water. There is a need for advanced thermal management strategies to improve heat dissipation and energy conversion efficiency.

    Experimental evaluation of SiO2–MWCNT/water hybrid nanofluids for sustainable cooling of photovoltaic/thermal systems · 2026 · DOI

  • Future work should focus on optimising nano- fluid concentration and composition, exploring advanced absorber geometries and phase change material (PCM) Experimental evaluation of SiO2–MWCNT/water hybrid nanofluids for sustainable cooling… integration, and conducting extended outdoor validation under diverse climatic conditions.

    Experimental evaluation of SiO2–MWCNT/water hybrid nanofluids for sustainable cooling of photovoltaic/thermal systems · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to investigate the impact of different roof geometries on the performance of PV/T systems. There is a lack of comprehensive evaluations of PV/T performance under roof-inspired geometries.

    Effect of roof–PV panel channel geometry on heat transfer and thermal efficiency in photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the understanding of the thermohydraulic performance of spiral triangle solar air heaters. The study highlights the need for a numerical investigation into the effect of passageways and mass flow rates on the thermal performance.

    A Numerical Investigation into the Thermohydraulic Performance of a Spiral Triangle Solar Air Heater · 2026 · DOI

  • The study aims to provide information for optimizing solar energy systems in the TR83 region of Turkey.

    Investigation of Exergy Potential of Solar Radiation for TR83 Region · 2026 · DOI

  • The high temperature in solar panels harms their performance. There is a need for effective cooling methods to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic panels.

    IMPROVE THE PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS BY ADVANCE COOLING USING DISTILLED WATER AND COPPER NANOPARTICLES · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can investigate the use of different PCM materials and their effects on thermal performance. The optimization of PCM mass and system design can be explored to improve efficiency.

    Advanced Heat Storage Integration Strategies for High-Efficiency Solar Water Heating Applications · 2026 · DOI

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59 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 401 Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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