Advances in Solar Technologies

The rapid growth in global energy demand and the pressing environmental challenges have driven the development of advanced solar energy technologies. This reprint presents cutting-edge innovations, novel design concepts, and technological advancements in solar energy systems.  Topics of interest include material and device optimization, system integration, performance enhancement through simulation and experimental analysis, and interdisciplinary applications such as solar cooling and thermal and electrical storage. It includes recent research on performance prediction models like MATLAB/Simulink to optimize triple-junction solar cells while cooling systems using nanofluids and phase change materials enhance thermal management. Light-trapping techniques, such as pit arrays, boost absorption, and shading analysis innovations help reduce efficiency losses. Improved solar irradiance prediction models refine energy forecasting. Grid integration benefits from advanced LCL filters and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms using genetic and ant colony optimization. Refractive-reflective solar concentrators enhance energy capture, while techno-economic assessments of concentrated photovoltaic-thermal (CPVT) spectral splitting suggest cost-effective solutions, particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive review examines the profound impact of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and wireless communication technologies on the heliostat control systems of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. This reprint aims to inspire next-generation solutions for practical solar energy applications by showcasing the latest research.