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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 5963

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rosa Pilar Merchán Corral

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Physics and IUFFYM, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Interests: concentrated solar thermal; thermal energy storage; thermodynamic cycles

Dr. Julián González Ayala

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Physics and IUFFYM, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Interests: thermal energy storage; thermodynamic optimization; multiobjective optimization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition to a sustainable energy future greatly depends on advancing technologies for efficiently converting and storing solar energy. As demand for renewable energy systems grows, innovations in materials, devices, and processes are crucial for overcoming current technical and economic challenges. To foster the exchange of cutting-edge research and innovative solutions, we announce the Special Issue "Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies" in the Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems Section of Energies.

This Special Issue will gather original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and novel case studies that address the latest developments and emerging trends in the field. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Advanced photovoltaic technologies and high-efficiency solar cells;
Thermal energy storage systems integrated with solar energy;
Hybrid solar energy systems combining multiple storage and conversion technologies;
Modeling, simulation, and optimization of solar energy conversion and storage processes;
Materials development for improved solar harvesting and thermal energy storage;
Passive and active cooling techniques for photovoltaic modules;
Solar-driven energy systems for industrial, residential, and mobility applications;
Life-cycle analysis, techno-economic assessment, and performance evaluation of solar systems;
Integration of solar energy storage into smart grids and decentralized energy networks.

We particularly welcome interdisciplinary works that connect fundamental research in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, material science, and system optimization with practical applications. Contributions that explore innovative strategies for enhancing energy efficiency, durability, and scalability are also particularly encouraged.

Dr. Rosa Pilar Merchán Corral
Dr. Julián González Ayala
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

solar energy conversion
thermal energy storage
photovoltaic systems
concentrated solar thermal
hybrid renewable energy systems
energy optimization and sustainability
multiple energy storage

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 2367 KB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Resolved Analysis of Photovoltaic–Building Energy Matching Using Dynamic Time Warping

by Arkadiusz Małek, Katarzyna Piotrowska, Michalina Gryniewicz-Jaworska and Andrzej Marciniak

Energies 2026, 19(4), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19041107 - 22 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 656

Abstract

The increasing share of photovoltaic (PV) generation in building energy systems highlights the importance of understanding not only the magnitude but also the temporal structure of energy mismatch between PV production and building demand. This study proposes a Dynamic Time Warping (DTW)-based framework for the analysis of daily temporal mismatch patterns in a building-integrated photovoltaic system using high-resolution measurement data. Daily temporal signatures are constructed from normalized PV generation and building load profiles, allowing the analysis to focus exclusively on temporal deformation rather than absolute energy values. Pairwise DTW distances are used to construct a distance matrix that captures similarities between daily mismatch structures over an entire month. The resulting DTW distance matrix enables not only pairwise comparison of daily mismatch patterns, but also the identification of representative, transitional, and extreme days through ranking and hierarchical organization of temporal signatures. Hierarchical clustering with average linkage reveals distinct families of days characterized by similar types of temporal deformation, while a ranking based on average DTW distance provides a compact diagnostic summary of monthly variability. The findings demonstrate that PV–building energy matching is inherently time-structured, forming recurrent temporal families of days that cannot be identified using aggregate energy metrics alone. The proposed framework provides a robust diagnostic layer for time-aware energy analysis and supports the development of advanced control and management strategies that explicitly address temporal mismatch in building-integrated photovoltaic systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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20 pages, 2690 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combining State-Based Clustering and Dynamic Time Warping for the Analysis of Photovoltaic–Building Energy Interactions

by Arkadiusz Małek, Jacek Caban, Ján Vrábel and Andrzej Marciniak

Energies 2026, 19(3), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030838 - 5 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 636

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic interaction between photovoltaic (PV) generation and building electricity demand with a focus on temporal alignment. A combined framework integrating state-based clustering and Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) is proposed to jointly analyze instantaneous operating states and time-dependent profile similarity. High-resolution (15 min) data from a 50 kWp building-integrated PV system supplying an administrative university building were analyzed for March 2025. Unsupervised k-means clustering was applied in the production–consumption state space to identify typical operating regimes, while DTW was used to compare daily PV generation and load profiles accounting for temporal shifts. The results show that days classified as similar based on instantaneous energy states may exhibit substantially different temporal structures that remain invisible in state-based analyses. To assess the practical relevance of temporal similarity, DTW distances were related to daily energy performance indicators. No significant relationship was observed between DTW distance and the self-consumption ratio under high-load conditions; however, a strong and statistically significant correlation (Pearson r = −0.60, p < 0.001; Spearman ρ = −0.53, p < 0.01) was found between DTW distance and a temporal overlap index quantifying the fraction of building load occurring during the PV-active period. The authors demonstrate that the applied DTW algorithm identifies temporal mismatches that have a measurable impact on energy metrics directly linked to load–generation coincidence. These findings confirm that temporal alignment constitutes an independent and operationally meaningful dimension of PV–building energy interaction that cannot be fully captured by state-based or energy-aggregated indicators alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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21 pages, 3957 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration Optimization and Annual Performance of a Coal-Fired Power System Retrofitted with a Solar Tower

by Junjie Wu, Ximeng Wang, Yun Li, Jiawen Liu and Yu Han

Energies 2026, 19(3), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030620 - 25 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 497

Abstract

Solar-aided power generation offers a pathway to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired plants. This study addresses the gap in comparing different solar integration modes by conducting a thermo-economic analysis of a 600 MW coal-fired system retrofitted with a solar tower. Four integration modes were designed and rigorously compared, encompassing series and parallel configurations at either the high-exergy reheater or the lower-exergy economizer. A detailed thermodynamic model was developed to simulate its off-design and annual performance. The results showed that integration at the primary reheater outperformed the economizer integration. Specifically, the parallel configuration at the primary reheater (Mode II) achieved the highest annual solar-to-electricity efficiency of 18.43% at a thermodynamically optimal heliostat field area of 125,025.6 m². Economic analysis revealed a trade-off, with the minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of −0.00929 USD/kWh for Mode II occurring at the economically optimal area of 321,494 m² due to greater coal and emission savings. Sensitivity analysis across two other locations confirmed that the annual solar-to-electricity efficiency and LCOE are directly influenced by solar resource quality, but the thermodynamically optimal and economically optimal heliostat field area remain consistent. This work demonstrates that parallel integration with the primary reheater presents a favorable and practical configuration, balancing high solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency with favorable economics for hybrid solar–coal power plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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29 pages, 3501 KB

Open AccessArticle

Stochastic Model Predictive Control for Photovoltaic Energy Plants: Coordinating Energy Storage, Generation, and Power Quality

by Pablo Velarde and Antonio J. Gallego

Energies 2026, 19(1), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010232 - 31 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 641

Abstract

The increasing integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into modern power grids poses significant operational challenges, including variability in solar generation, fluctuations in demand, degradation of power quality, and reduced reliability under uncertain conditions. Addressing these challenges requires advanced control strategies that can manage uncertainty while coordinating storage, inverter-level actions, and power quality functions. This paper proposes a unified stochastic Model Predictive Control (SMPC) framework for the optimal management of photovoltaic (PV) systems under uncertainty. The approach integrates chance-constrained optimization with Value-at-Risk (VaR) modeling to ensure system reliability under variable solar irradiance and demand profiles. Unlike conventional deterministic MPCs, the proposed method explicitly addresses stochastic disturbances while optimizing energy storage, generation, and power quality. The framework introduces a hierarchical control architecture, where a centralized SMPC coordinates global energy flows, and decentralized inverter agents perform local Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and harmonic compensation based on the instantaneous power theory. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in energy efficiency from 78% to 85%, constraint satisfaction from 85% to 96%, total harmonic distortion reduction by 25%, and resilience (energy supply loss reduced from 15% to 5% under fault conditions), compared to classical deterministic approaches. This comprehensive methodology offers a robust solution for integrating PV systems into modern grids, addressing sustainability and reliability goals under uncertainty. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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24 pages, 7353 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parametric Optimization of RBC-PTES System: Impact on Round-Trip Efficiency and LCOS

by Paul Tafur-Escanta, Franco Cabrera-Ortega, Robert Valencia-Chapi, Luis Garzón-Pérez, Solimar Andrade-Terán and Javier Muñoz-Antón

Energies 2025, 18(24), 6594; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18246594 - 17 Dec 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 673

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive thermo-economic evaluation of a pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) system based on a supercritical carbon dioxide (s-CO₂) recompression Brayton cycle (RBC). A multiparametric analysis was conducted through systematic parameterization of key design variables, including mass fractions directed to the recompressor during charging and to the high-pressure turbine during discharging, as well as compressor inlet pressure and temperature and turbine inlet temperature. Performance optimization focused on two main indicators: round-trip efficiency (

η_{R T}

) and levelized cost of storage (LCOS), enabling identification of trade-offs between thermodynamic and economic performance. Results show that minimizing LCOS yields 148.72 $/MWh with an

η_{R T}

of 57.1%, whereas maximizing efficiency achieves 61.5% at an LCOS of 158.4 $/MWh. Exergy destruction analysis highlights the strategic role of the main compressor and thermal storage tanks in overall irreversibility distribution. These findings confirm the technical feasibility of the s-CO₂ recompression Brayton cycle as a competitive solution for long-duration thermal energy storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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Review

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37 pages, 46714 KB

Open AccessReview

Parabolic Dish Collectors for Concentrated Solar Power: A Comprehensive Review on Their Subsystems and Overall Integration

by Judit García-Ferrero, Rosa Pilar Merchán Corral, Jesús Alberto Moctezuma-Hernández, David Pérez-Gallego, Simin Anvari, Julian González-Ayala, Antonio Calvo-Hernández, José Miguel Mateos Roco, María Jesús Santos and Alejandro Medina

Energies 2025, 18(24), 6596; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18246596 - 17 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2188

Abstract

Parabolic dish collectors (PDCs) focus solar radiation onto a small area, minimizing the heat-loss area of the solar receiver and improving the heating of the working fluid. This fluid usually drives a Stirling-like or micro-gas turbine (Brayton-like) power generator. PDCs, initially intended for small-capacity applications, are well-suited for electricity and heat generation in remote rural areas, working alone and/or as parabolic dish arrays. PDCs have received considerable attention among solar thermal collectors due to their high concentration ratios and the high temperatures they achieve. However, nowadays, they are the least developed and least commissioned among concentrated solar power configurations, lacking a well-established technology. This review aims to compile the evolution of research on PDCs over recent years from a global perspective and is mainly focused on the subsystems constituting a PDC plant, their integration, and overall system optimisation, thereby addressing a gap in the current literature. Methodological tools used in the field are comprehensively revised, and recent related projects are summarized. Some innovative and promising applications are also highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies)

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