Performance Analysis of Solar-Powered Stirling Engine Systems

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient renewable energy technologies has led to increased interest in solar-powered Stirling engine systems as a promising alternative for electricity generation. These systems convert solar thermal energy into mechanical work through cyclic compression and expansion of a working gas, offering high theoretical efficiency and environmental benefits. However, their practical performance is influenced by several factors including solar concentration, heat transfer efficiency, engine design, and operating conditions. This study presents a comprehensive performance analysis of solar-powered Stirling engine systems with an emphasis on thermal efficiency, power output, and system reliability. The methodology involves the modeling and simulation of a Stirling engine coupled with a solar concentrator system such as parabolic dish collectors. Thermal energy input from concentrated solar radiation is analyzed under varying irradiance conditions. Key performance parameters including temperature gradient, pressure variation, rotational speed, and net power output are evaluated using thermodynamic modeling and numerical simulation tools. The results indicate that higher solar concentration ratios significantly improve engine performance by increasing the temperature difference between hot and cold ends of the system. It is also observed that optimized regenerator efficiency and reduced heat losses play a crucial role in enhancing overall system efficiency.