Review of technologies and applications of solar powered organic Rankine cycle

The solar organic Rankine cycle is a promising technology for power generation using low-grade thermal sources. It is especially valuable in regions with high solar irradiance. This article reviews the technology, performance, and applications. It covers working principles, cycle configurations, fluid selection, solar collectors, thermal energy storage, and environmental impact. Regenerative configurations offer outstanding thermo-economic performance. Hydrofluoroolefins such as R-1234yf and R-1233zd(E) have emerged as low global warming potential replacements. Flat-plate and evacuated-tube collectors work well for small- to medium-scale applications. Parabolic trough collectors are used in large-scale projects. Integration with concentrating solar collectors remains underexplored, revealing a research gap. Sensible energy storage is the most cost-effective and mature option. Machine learning shows potential for system optimisation. Further studies should focus on experimental validation, integration of concentrating collectors, standardised economic reporting, and AI-based optimisation to promote deployment.