Solar power plants that incorporate parabolic trough collectors (PTC) to generate solar energy can be regarded as a viable alternative to conventional power plants. To enhance the performance and productivity of these systems, it is imperative to improve the direct steam generation process. This study proposes the implementation of a passive enhancement technique to improve steam production in the PTC absorber, with the aim of optimising the overall size and cost of solar power plants. For this purpose, longitudinal fins have been attached to the inner bottom part of the tube. A numerical investigation was conducted to examine the two-phase flow with vaporisation using the ANSYS Fluent code. The analysis of two-phase flow was carried out via the volume of fluid technique. Additionally, a phase-change model was integrated to elucidate the vaporisation process. The Monte-Carlo ray-tracing approach was employed to identify the irregular distribution of heat flux across the tube. The integration of fins within the absorber tube has been demonstrated to enhance heat transfer and vapor fraction, thereby optimising the thermal performance of the system. Furthermore, the configuration that optimised steam generation was achieved through the utilisation of an absorber tube equipped with two rectangular longitudinal fins, displaying an aspect ratio of 0.5. The optimum thermal performance factor was found to be 1.58, which is reached in the laminar regime. The study's findings indicate a reduction in the overall dimensions of the PTC absorber, leading to a decrease in the size of solar power plants and their associated costs.

Solar power plants that incorporate parabolic trough collectors (PTC) to generate solar energy can be regarded as a viable alternative to conventional power plants. To enhance the performance and productivity of these systems, it is imperative to improve the direct steam generation process. This study proposes the implementation of a passive enhancement technique to improve steam production in the PTC absorber, with the aim of optimising the overall size and cost of solar power plants. For this purpose, longitudinal fins have been attached to the inner bottom part of the tube. A numerical investigation was conducted to examine the two-phase flow with vaporisation using the ANSYS Fluent code. The analysis of two-phase flow was carried out via the volume of fluid technique. Additionally, a phase-change model was integrated to elucidate the vaporisation process. The Monte-Carlo ray-tracing approach was employed to identify the irregular distribution of heat flux across the tube. The integration of fins within the absorber tube has been demonstrated to enhance heat transfer and vapor fraction, thereby optimising the thermal performance of the system. Furthermore, the configuration that optimised steam generation was achieved through the utilisation of an absorber tube equipped with two rectangular longitudinal fins, displaying an aspect ratio of 0.5. The optimum thermal performance factor was found to be 1.58, which is reached in the laminar regime. The study's findings indicate a reduction in the overall dimensions of the PTC absorber, leading to a decrease in the size of solar power plants and their associated costs.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This study addresses the critical challenge of reducing operating temperature in photovoltaic (PV) systems, as excessive heat generation impairs their electrical efficiency and power output. A novel mini-channel heat sink with a folded U-shaped fin design is introduced to enhance heat dissipation, offering a scalable solution for optimizing PV performance. The design increases the heat transfer area while reducing airflow velocity by narrowing the channels, and optimizing thermal management. Experiments were conducted indoors under controlled conditions, with inlet air velocity of 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s and solar irradiances of 500 and 1000 W/m². The outcomes showed that the mini-channel heat sink effectively reduced the average cell temperature by 57.44 %. This significant thermal regulation increased electrical efficiency by 26.6 %, resulting in a 37.55 % increment in power output. The experimental findings were further compared to numerical simulations achieving an acceptable range of variation and ensuring the reliability of the results with an average heat transfer coefficient error percentage below 5 %. The originality of this work lies then in its unique U-shaped mini-channel design, which mitigates thermal stress and optimizes energy output. It provides a promising approach to advancing PV cooling technologies and a scalable solution for improving solar energy efficiency.

This research conducts a comprehensive numerical evaluation into an advanced heat dissipation system for low-concentrated photovoltaic systems, addressing the limitations of conventional minichannel heat sink designs. To overcome their inherent inefficiencies, a novel minichannel configuration with wavy surfaces and a trapezoidal inlet section (TWMC) is proposed, aiming to enhance convective heat transfer through increased surface area and induced flow turbulence. Three configurations wavy minichannel (TWMC), trapezoidal minichannel (TMC), and rectangular minichannel (RMC) are systematically compared in terms of key performance metrics, including thermal resistance, Nusselt number, pressure loss, and friction index. Water serves as the coolant, operating in a laminar flow regime (Re = 200–900) and absorbing a uniform heat flux of 100 kW/m² applied to the channel base. Results demonstrate that the TWMC configuration outperforms conventional designs, achieving a 30.82 % decline in heat resistance and a 9.2 % surge in Nusselt number at peak Reynolds numbers. The TWMC design improves the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) to 1.06, with exceptional overall thermohydraulic performance PEC(R) ranging from 1.078 to 1.271, despite higher pressure drop. These findings offer insights into optimizing CPV system performance, emphasizing the potential of innovative wavy-channel geometries to revolutionize thermal management and energy efficiency in advanced photovoltaic applications.