Design and Performance Analysis of a Solar Thermal Energy System for Rural Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Solar thermal energy systems (STSs) represent a sustainable and scalable technological pathway to address the dual challenges of energy poverty and environmental degradation in rural regions. This review evaluates the engineering design and thermal performance of diverse solar thermal technologies, from low-cost portable water heaters to large-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. Key performance enhancements, including square-shaped riser tubes, selective metafilm coatings, and Phase Change Material (PCM) storage, are analyzed through numerical simulations and field data. Findings indicate that optimizing collector geometry and integrating latent heat storage can improve system efficiency by 10–15%, making STSs economically competitive with conventional fossil fuels in energy-poor communities.