Solar Thermal Collectors with Selective Coatings
Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research
What it is
Solar thermal collectors with selective coatings are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into heat with high efficiency. These collectors utilize special coatings on their absorber surfaces that maximize the absorption of solar radiation while minimizing heat loss.
Impact on climate action
Solar Thermal Collectors with Selective Coatings under the Solar Thermal theme elevate climate action by enhancing energy efficiency and heat retention. By maximizing solar absorption and minimizing heat loss, these collectors increase the effectiveness of solar thermal systems, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Underlying
Technology
- Solar Thermal Collectors: These collectors capture sunlight and convert it into heat, which is then transferred to a working fluid (e.g., water or glycol). Common types of collectors include flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors, and parabolic trough collectors.
- Selective Coatings: Selective coatings are applied to the absorber surface of the collector to enhance its solar absorptance and reduce its thermal emittance. This means that the coating absorbs a high percentage of the incoming solar radiation while minimizing the amount of heat radiated back to the environment.
- Optical Properties: Selective coatings have specific optical properties that determine their performance. These properties include solar absorptance (α), which is the ability of the coating to absorb solar radiation, and thermal emittance (ε), which is the ability of the coating to emit thermal radiation.
- Material Science: Selective coatings are typically made from thin films of metal oxides, nitrides, or other materials with specific optical properties.
TRL : 7-8
Prominent Innovation themes
- High-Performance Selective Coatings: Researchers and companies are developing new selective coatings with higher solar absorptance and lower thermal emittance, further improving collector efficiency.
- Durable and Stable Coatings: Innovations in coating materials and deposition techniques are improving the durability and stability of selective coatings, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
- Multilayer Coatings: Multilayer coatings with different optical properties can be designed to optimize performance across a wider range of solar wavelengths.
- Nanostructured Coatings: Nanotechnology is being used to develop nanostructured coatings with enhanced optical properties for solar thermal applications.
Other Innovation Subthemes
- Coatings for Enhanced Solar Thermal Collector Absorption
- Advanced Solar Thermal Collector Coating Durability
- Multilayer Coating for Solar Thermal Collectors
- Nanostructured Coating Innovations for Solar Thermal Collectors
- Next-Generation Coating Materials for Solar Thermal Collectors
- High-Efficiency Solar Thermal Collector Coating Technologies
- Coating Deposition Techniques for Solar Thermal Collectors
- Coating Lifespan Extension for Solar Thermal Collectors
Related Innovations
- Digitalization and Process Optimization in Solar Thermal
- Hybrid Solar Thermal-PV Systems
- Integrated Solar Thermal Systems for Buildings
- Integration of Solar Thermal with Smart Grids
- Micro-CSP Systems
- Nanofluids for Heat Transfer in Solar Thermal Systems
- Solar Thermal Biomass Gasification
- Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
- Solar Thermal Desalination
- Solar Thermal for Chemical Industry
- Solar Thermal for Food Processing
- Solar Thermal for Industrial Process Heat
- Solar Thermal for Metal Processing
- Solar Thermal for Textile Dyeing
- Solar Thermal for Water Treatment
- Solar Thermal Heat Pumps
Sample Global Startups and Companies
- Absolicon:
- Technology Enhancement: Absolicon specializes in concentrating solar thermal (CST) collectors equipped with selective coatings. Their solar collectors focus sunlight onto a receiver tube coated with a selective absorber material, which efficiently absorbs solar radiation while minimizing heat loss. This technology allows for high-temperature heat generation, suitable for various industrial processes, district heating, and solar cooling applications.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: Absolicon stands out for its innovative approach to CST technology and its focus on industrial-scale solar heat solutions. Their collectors incorporate advanced materials and design features to achieve high efficiency and reliability, enabling cost-effective and sustainable heat production for industrial customers and district heating networks.
- End-User Segments Addressing: Absolicon serves industries, municipalities, and utilities seeking renewable heat solutions to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. Their solar thermal collectors are deployed in applications such as food processing, textile manufacturing, desalination, and space heating, providing clean and reliable heat energy.
- TVP Solar:
- Technology Enhancement: TVP Solar specializes in vacuum tube solar thermal collectors with selective coatings. Their collectors utilize a vacuum insulation layer to minimize heat loss and selective absorber coatings to maximize solar energy absorption. This design allows for efficient heat generation even in low-light conditions, making it suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial heating applications.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: TVP Solar stands out for its vacuum tube solar thermal technology and its focus on off-grid and hybrid solar heating solutions. Their collectors offer high performance and reliability, making them suitable for remote locations, off-grid buildings, and energy-efficient homes seeking renewable heating options.
- End-User Segments Addressing: TVP Solar serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers seeking reliable and sustainable heat solutions. Their vacuum tube solar thermal collectors are deployed in residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, and industrial facilities for water heating, space heating, and process heat applications.
- GREENoneTEC:
- Technology Enhancement: GREENoneTEC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of flat-plate solar thermal collectors with selective coatings. Their collectors feature high-efficiency absorber coatings that maximize solar energy absorption while minimizing heat loss. This technology allows for efficient heat production for domestic hot water, space heating, and swimming pool heating applications.
- Uniqueness of the Startup: GREENoneTEC stands out for its expertise in flat-plate solar thermal technology and its focus on residential and commercial solar heating solutions. Their collectors are known for their quality, performance, and durability, making them a preferred choice for homeowners, contractors, and building developers seeking reliable and cost-effective solar heating solutions.
- End-User Segments Addressing: GREENoneTEC serves residential, commercial, and public sector customers seeking renewable heating solutions. Their flat-plate solar thermal collectors are widely used in residential buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, schools, and sports facilities, providing clean and sustainable heat energy for various applications.
Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
- Research Focus: MIT is at the forefront of research on Solar Thermal Collectors with Selective Coatings, focusing on developing advanced materials and coatings to enhance the efficiency and performance of solar thermal collectors for heat generation and industrial applications.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the development of selective coatings with tailored optical and thermal properties to maximize solar absorption, minimize heat losses, and improve thermal stability under high-temperature operating conditions. They also explore innovative manufacturing techniques, surface engineering approaches, and durability testing methods to optimize the performance and longevity of selective coatings in diverse solar thermal systems.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in solar water heating, space heating, process heat generation, and solar thermal power plants. By improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar thermal collectors, MIT’s research contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions, and enhancing energy security in various industrial and residential sectors.
- Stanford University:
- Research Focus: Stanford University conducts innovative research on Solar Thermal Collectors with Selective Coatings, leveraging its expertise in materials science, photonics, and thermal engineering to develop next-generation coatings for enhancing solar thermal energy conversion and utilization.
- Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the design and synthesis of nanostructured materials, plasmonic nanoparticles, and multilayered coatings with tailored spectral selectivity and thermal stability for efficient solar absorption and thermal management. They also investigate novel coating deposition techniques, surface texturing methods, and optical modeling approaches to optimize light trapping, heat transfer, and durability in solar thermal collector systems.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, solar desalination, industrial process heating, and solar-driven cooling technologies. By advancing selective coatings for solar thermal applications, Stanford’s research enables higher energy yields, lower operating costs, and greater deployment flexibility, contributing to the transition to a sustainable and renewable energy future.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
- Research Focus: NREL is engaged in cutting-edge research on Solar Thermal Collectors with Selective Coatings, leveraging its expertise in materials characterization, performance testing, and techno-economic analysis to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of advanced solar thermal technologies.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the evaluation of novel coating materials, deposition methods, and surface treatments for enhancing solar absorption, thermal insulation, and optical durability in solar thermal collector systems. They also conduct field testing, accelerated aging studies, and cost-benefit analyses to assess the reliability, performance, and economic viability of selective coatings in real-world applications.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in solar heating and cooling, industrial process heat, agricultural drying, and district heating systems. By providing scientific insights and practical solutions for improving the performance and durability of solar thermal collectors, NREL’s research supports the widespread adoption of solar thermal technologies, driving down carbon emissions and fostering renewable energy integration in the global energy mix.
Commercial Implementation
Solar thermal collectors with selective coatings are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications around the world. They are a mature technology with a proven track record of performance and reliability.
