Review on Recent Technological Advancements on Solar‐Powered Stirling Engine

ABSTRACT The solar‐powered Stirling engine (SE) has demonstrated the highest efficiency of converting solar energy into electrical power among concentrating solar power applications. However, since the cost of producing solar steam is higher than that of nonrenewable energy technology, SEs are still underutilized. Various advancements have been made over the last two decades to make the SE economically and commercially viable. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the significant technological advances made in solar‐powered SEs. Particular attention focused on simulation research, performance analysis, applications, and environmental and economic impact analysis. SEs powered by various concentrating solar collector technologies to reduce electricity costs are discussed in detail. The simulation techniques used to model the performance of SEs have been extensively reviewed. The application of an SE for multigeneration by hybridization with well‐established technologies, techniques to reduce electricity costs, and environmental impact analysis is presented. This comprehensive review provides foundations for future research into improving the performance of Stirring engines.