A comprehensive review of CPVT solar systems: structural configurations, thermal management strategies, and thermoelectric–CFD advances

• A comprehensive review of CPVT systems with thermal energy recovery is presented. • Comparative analysis of LFR, CPC, PTC, PDC, and Fresnel lens configurations. • Thermal management strategies including passive, active, PCM-based, and TEC-assisted cooling are evaluated. • CFD modeling is highlighted for analysis optimization. • The study provides an integrated framework of high-efficiency CPVT systems. With the steady rise in global demand for renewable sources, concentrated photovoltaic thermal technology has gained notable attention as an advanced method for harnessing solar energy to produce electricity and thermal power concurrently. These systems enhance the overall energy conversion efficiency by integrating solar concentrators with photovoltaic modules and thermal energy recovery technologies. Additionally, they optimize the electrical performance by reducing the temperature of the photovoltaic cells through the recovery of excess heat. This article presents a comprehensive and structured review of various concentrated photovoltaic thermal configurations, including linear Fresnel reflector, parabolic trough collector, compound parabolic concentrator, parabolic dish concentrator, and Fresnel lens, along with an analysis of the advantages, challenges, and limitations associated with each configuration. Additionally, thermal management strategies including active cooling systems, passive cooling systems, nanofluid-based heat-transfer enhancement, the use of phase change materials, and thermoelectric modules have been examined with the aim of enhancing operational stability and minimizing energy losses. Furthermore, the role of computational fluid dynamics has been specifically examined in thermal-flow modeling, temperature distribution analysis, cooling channel design, and performance optimization of concentrated photovoltaic thermal systems. The findings from previous studies indicate that the overall efficiency of these systems can be significantly improved, while the cost of the generated energy can be noticeably reduced. Ultimately, this article aims to address the lack of comprehensive and integrated analyses in the literature by providing a detailed classification and a critical review of existing designs, serving as a strategic reference for the future development and design of multifunctional solar systems.