Hybrid Solar-Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Systems: A Systematic Literature Review on Design, Performance, and Stability

Background Hybrid Solar–Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Systems (HSTEHS) integrate photovoltaic (PV) technology and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) to harvest solar and mechanical energy within a single platform. Although previous reviews have examined hybrid PV–TENG architectures and integration strategies, substantial variation in device configurations, materials, testing protocols, and stability assessments limits cross-study comparisons and obscures common design priorities. This systematic literature review addresses this gap by synthesizing technological developments, performance characteristics, technical challenges, and emerging applications. Methods Searches were conducted in Scopus, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and the MDPI publishing platform on 1 September 2026, covering English-language, peer-reviewed primary research articles published between 2016 and 2026. Study selection followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and eligible studies were analyzed using descriptive and thematic synthesis. Results Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. China contributed 20 studies (60.6%), while Nano Energy was the most frequently represented journal, with 17 studies (51.5%). Silicon-based PV was the dominant technology, and water-drop/raindrop systems constituted the most frequently represented TENG category. Mechanical excitation was reported in all 33 studies, whereas illumination was reported in 32. Rain/water-droplet, wind, and humidity/relative humidity (RH) testing appeared in 14, 7, and 6 studies, respectively. Packaging and material degradation were the most frequently coded challenges, each appearing in 29 studies, followed by cycling performance and moisture-related issues, each appearing in 27 studies. Conclusions HSTEHS research is progressing from basic multisource integration toward multifunctional platforms for all-weather energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. However, heterogeneous device configurations and testing conditions limit direct performance comparisons. Further progress requires standardized characterization, durable materials and interfaces, effective power management, long-term environmental validation, and scalable fabrication.