Nanotechnology: new hope of efficiency enhancement for solar evacuated tube collector

Abstract

Purpose In the twenty-first century, the use of fossil fuels has increased drastically because the necessity of energy is increasing day by day which affects the world’s economy. The solar energy (photo-thermal energy conversion) system is the most economical and eco-friendly alternative source. To increase the use of domestic as well as commercialization purpose, the authors have reviewed this paper on the solar water heater along with its structural mechanism for energy enhancement and to create easier stair steps for climbing on the green world dream. Design/methodology/approach In this study, nanotechnology has remarkably built its own use for extending thermal efficiency by using some gradual experiments. It is a phenomenon, like nanofluid (as a working fluid for a direct solar collector), nanocoating (on the surface of a solar-evacuated tube by using the chemical vapor deposition/physical vacuum deposition/sol–gel technique) and nanorod-based solar collector tube. Findings This invention gives greater efficiency rather than the conventional systems, but also this advancement is not too much supported in a low- temperature environment also, we can consider the poor light absorption characteristics of the pure water (Bencic, et al., 2000). Originality/value The basic idea and understanding of this phenomenon to improve solar collecting performance for obtaining a high working-fluid temperature are discussed in this paper.