A review on exergy analysis of solar electricity production

Abstract

The increasing installed area of solar technologies around the world gives us an idea about the unlimited potential available in solar energy. Solar light and thermal energy can provide sufficient electricity needed in daily life. In additionally, photovoltaics, photovoltaic/thermal, concentration photovoltaic, concentration solar power and solar thermoelectric have been developing for energy conversion. The main aim of the present study is to make comprehensively review on exergy analysis and performance assessment of a wide range of solar electricity production. Exergy can be used to assess and improve energy systems, and can help better understand the benefits of utilizing green energy by providing more useful and meaningful information than energy provides. After that the studied systems are exergetically analyzed and evaluated solar electricity includes photovoltaics (PVs) and hybrid (PV/T-water or PV/T-air) solar collectors. The advantages and disadvantages of these systems will be presented on exergy concept. The CSP systems, the systems with nanofluid and PCM were exhibited.