Recent Advances in Solar Thermal Collectors: Design, Modeling, and Performance Optimization
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: 5 February 2026 | Viewed by 115
Special Issue Editor
Interests: flat-plate solar collectors; optical and thermal modeling of solar thermal systems; solar tracking strategies; building-integrated solar energy technologies; energy efficiency in buildings; climate-responsive solar design; experimental validation and CFD simulation; optimization of solar thermal system performance
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Solar thermal collectors play a vital role in the transition toward sustainable and decarbonized energy systems. With a wide range of applications in water and space heating, industrial processes, and building integration, their efficiency and adaptability have become crucial to meeting global energy needs. This Special Issue focuses on recent developments in the design, modeling, and performance optimization of solar thermal collectors—including flat-plate glass collectors, evacuated tube systems, and concentrating collectors. Particular attention is given to advancements in materials, optical and thermal simulation, dynamic orientation and tracking strategies, and integration with thermal storage. Contributions addressing performance analysis under real-world operating conditions, experimental validation, and techno-economic assessments are also encouraged. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative engineering solutions that enhance the performance and applicability of solar thermal collectors in various climatic and usage contexts. We invite researchers and practitioners to submit original research articles, review papers, and case studies contributing to the advancement of solar thermal technologies and their integration into modern energy systems.
Dr. Robert Kowalik
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- flat-plate solar collectors
- glass-covered solar collectors
- solar thermal systems
- thermal performance modeling
- solar tracking strategies
- evacuated tube collectors
- building-integrated solar technologies
- energy efficiency
- CFD and optical simulations
- thermal energy storage
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