A Novel Solar Driven Micro-CHP System: A State of the Art Review

The state-of-the-art solar power system technologies are presented. Various methods of capturing solar energy using solar collectors such as parabolic trough collectors and dish collectors are reviewed. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems driven by concentrating solar absorbers and supplemented by biomass boilers are proving to be the most promising methods of domestic power generation. μCHP systems eliminate losses associated with power distribution and transmission opposed to the large scale power generation methods. The systems can utilize about 75% of solar energy to provide electric and thermal energy direct to end users. The driving potential behind μCHP systems is the thermal efficiency the systems can achieve and their market significance. Despite huge potential market for μCHP systems, the systems are yet to be seen available in commercial market. Hence the authors of this paper are currently developing such type of CHP system with electricity production being of prime importance.