A Hybrid Solar–Thermoelectric System Incorporating Molten Salt for Sustainable Energy Storage Solutions

Green sustainable energy, especially renewable energy, is gaining huge popularity and is considered a vital energy in addressing energy conservation and global climate change. One of the most significant renewable energy sources in the UAE is solar energy, due to the country’s high solar radiation levels. This paper focuses on advanced technology that integrates parabolic trough mirrors, molten salt storage, and thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to provide a reliable and effective solar system in the UAE. Furthermore, the new system can be manufactured in different sizes suitable for consumption whether in ordinary houses or commercial establishments and businesses. The proposed design theoretically achieves the target electrical energy of 2.067 kWh/day with 90% thermal efficiency, 90.2% optical efficiency, and 8% TEG efficiency that can be elevated to higher values reaching 149% using the liquid-saturated porous medium, ensuring the operation of the system throughout the day. This makes it a suitable solar system in off-grid areas. Moreover, this system is a cost-effective, carbon-free, and day-and-night energy source that can be dispatched on the electric grid like any fossil fuel plant under the proposed method, with less maintenance, thus contributing to the UAE’s renewable energy strategy.