Solar Thermal Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Research on solar thermal energy conversion has received, and is still receiving, attention for its importance to reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. With COP 21, nations across the world agreed to accelerate their reductions in carbon emissions. Thermal energy comprises nearly half of the final global energy consumption, of which one third belongs to industry. The remarkable progress that has been made in cost reduction and commercial deployment of solar thermal energy technologies underlines the benefits of investment in R&D and indicates the promise of, and necessity for, continued innovation to produce further advances in the field. Hence, there is the need of researches on higher efficiencies, lower costs, improved scalability, and new functionality of energy thermal components and systems. Nowadays the main aims of the researches are both the seeking of new configurations and on the use of micro and nano technologies in energy thermal components and systems.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original research articles, as well as review articles, on the most recent developments and research efforts in this field, with the purpose of providing guidelines for future research directions. Potential topics of include, but are not limited to:

• Solar collectors analysis and design;
• Thermal energy storage;
• Active solar heating and cooling systems;
• Solar heat for residential and industrial uses;
• Passive solar heating and cooling.

Prof. Dr. Sergio Nardini

Guest Editor

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