ENERGY UTILIZATION ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL DRYING BASED ON INTEGRATED SOLAR THERMAL AND PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SUPPLY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23285676Abstract
The study examines the energy performance of an agricultural drying technology in which solar thermal and photovoltaic subsystems are coordinated to supply the principal thermal and auxiliary electrical demands of the process. Unlike approaches centred on numerical modelling, the present work is structured around energy-flow identification, performance assessment and comparative interpretation of the principal energy indicators governing drying operation. Particular attention is given to the partitioning of incident solar energy into useful thermal input and photovoltaic electricity, the energy required for moisture removal, auxiliary electricity consumption, thermal-storage contribution and the resulting specific energy consumption. Published experimental evidence is used as a benchmark to establish realistic operating ranges and to distinguish process-level effects from technology-specific effects. Literature data demonstrate that drying performance is sensitive to air temperature and humidity, while hybrid solar systems can shorten drying duration relative to open-sun operation. The proposed analytical framework provides a scientifically consistent basis for evaluating the energy efficiency of an integrated solar thermal–photovoltaic dryer and for identifying operating conditions under which solar energy utilization can be intensified without increasing unnecessary auxiliary consumption. The work is intended as an analytical foundation for subsequent experimental validation on the researcher’s own drying installation.Keywords
agricultural drying, solar thermal energy, photovoltaic conversion, energy utilization, specific energy consumption, thermal efficiency, auxiliary electricity, thermal energy storage, energy performance assessment, renewable-energy integrationReferences
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