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International Journal of Heat and Technology

CUCUMO M. A., FERRARO V., KALIAKATSOS D., NICOLETTI F., CONDO’ D · 2026 · 169 citationsRead the paper

In this work a Solar Thermal Generator is analysed from an energy point of view. It is a dish collector that is part of a concentrating solar grid system. The analysed plant is used for the generation of low enthalpy thermal energy as an integration to the hot water production plant for some student residences of the University of Calabria (Italy). A thermal model is developed that simulates the behaviour of the plant with the aim of analysing its performance and optimizing the design of its fundamental parts from an energy point of view. The optical model of the solar collector is carried out for a particular external condition. The emissive characteristics of the absorber is determined with the use of a thermal imaging camera. To identify the main parameters that affect the functioning and the thermal balance of the capturing system, a thermo-fluid dynamic analysis is performed. The results show which are the main causes of loss. It is possible to understand the weight of each factor in the energy balance.

What the full text shows

Working prototype
  • The largest energy loss is attributed to mirror spacing and low reflectivity. — 38% (Solar dish collector with flat mirrors)
  • Imperfect absorption of solar radiation is a significant loss factor. — 11% (Absorber surface)
  • Annual performance is higher in Rende (Italy) compared to Padua (Italy). — 30% higher (Comparison between latitude 39°20' and 45°25' N)
  • The system achieves a specific concentration ratio. — 65 suns (Net concentrating area of 11.4 m2 and receiver area of 0.176 m2)
  • The useful power transferred to the absorber was calculated. — 5193.0769 W (Direct irradiation of 850 W/m2)
  • The absorber emissivity was experimentally determined. — 0.92 (Measured via FLIR E75 thermal imaging camera)
Setup
A solar dish collector with 130 flat square mirrors and a spiral-wound tube absorber (13 windings, 9.507m length) installed at the University of Calabria.
How
The researchers developed a thermal and optical model of a dish collector and performed CFD analysis using Solidworks CAD to simulate the spiral-shaped absorber. They used a thermal imaging camera to determine the emissivity of the absorber and conducted an energy balance to identify loss factors.
Limitations
The model was not yet validated with long-term experimental data at the time of publication. · Diffuse solar radiation was neglected in power calculations. · Reflection from the ground and nearby objects was considered negligible.

Summarized by Gemma 4 from the open-access full text · 8 Oct 2026. Read it