Advances in Hybrid Solar Energy Systems: Experimental, Numerical, and Optimization Studies

Solar energy is an abundant and sustainable resource with tremendous potential to meet global energy demands across diverse sectors. Its applications range from electricity generation and irrigation pumping to agricultural lighting and thermal uses such as water desalination, space heating, and drying. Critic development involves the integration of solar technologies with other renewable energy sources or storage solutions to ensure reliable power generation and enhance overall system efficiency, particularly through systems like Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) collectors. Recent technological advancements in heat transfer enhancement and thermal management, encompassing innovative cooling strategies and advanced heat sink designs for photovoltaic panels, have significantly improved solar system efficiency while reducing costs.

This Research Topic aims to compile original, high-quality research articles that present novel advances in experimental investigations, numerical modeling, and optimization of solar energy systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Numerical modeling of heat and mass transfer
- Experimental studies on solar distillation, drying, and heating applications
- Design, performance, and optimization of hybrid solar energy systems (e.g., PV/T, Solar-Wind)
- Analysis of natural and forced convection dynamics and Coupled Transport Phenomena.

We particularly encourage contributions that provide fundamental or applied insights for enhancing the performance, economic viability, and practical deployment of solar energy technologies. This collection aims to consolidate a deeper understanding and foster the development of robust solar solutions, thereby accelerating the global transition to sustainable energy.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Solar energy, Fluid flow, Heat transfer, Numerical simulation, Optimization, Solar drying, Solar system sizing, Hybrid Systems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.