COVID-19 RAPID RESPONSE:SCALABLE CONCENTRATED SOLAR-THERMAL SYSTEM TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND UTILIZE ON-FARM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (COVID-19 RAPID RESPONSE)

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Energy efficiency and conservation is an important component of farm sustainability. The utilization of natural resources in agriculture can save money, increase self-reliance, and reduce pollution. Solar energy is one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy, and most farms and ranches have open, sunny locations that are well-suited to solar energy systems. Solar heating systems can be used to heat homes, livestock buildings, and greenhouses, and dry crops. Solar water heaters can provide hot water that is essential for the agricultural sector, especially for dairy farms. Concentrated Solar Thermal Systems (CST) due to its high energy transfer efficiency and heat energy storage are proven to be an efficient technology to generate thermal energy but the manufacturing and operational complexity of the CST resulting in the high cost of the commercial offerings. By employing a cost-effective approach, custom-engineered design, in-house innovations, and efficient heat accumulator to store thermal energy, our team intent to overcome the common negative factors of the CST - space requirements and high cost, and develop a scalable, self-contained, remotely controlled Solar Thermal System with low capital, operating and maintenance costs, suitable for agricultural and residential sectors. To reach this goal, during the Phase I, we will conduct research studies that will allow us to reduce the size of the heat storage by increasing its efficiency up to 8 times, and so make the system more economical and space-saving. Besides, we will study and choose the best cost-effective components for the solar units and build a test prototype to confirm the results of the studies and to secure the sustainability of our technology. Providing a cost-effective and efficient source of renewable clean energy to the small and mid-size farms, we anticipate to make a positive impact on the sustainability and profitability of the farms and so, on the economy of the rural areas overall.