Researchers Advanced Industrial Solar Thermal Heating
New ethanol-based heat pump designs have reached 155.6 degrees Celsius to meet critical industrial temperature needs.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Energy
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Researchers at the University of Guanajuato and Texas A&M have demonstrated a new solar thermal system that uses ethanol to reach temperatures of 155.6 degrees C. This research-stage development aims to bridge the gap for industrial processes requiring heat between 120 and 200 degrees C.
Why it matters
Standard solar thermal collectors often struggle to reach the high-temperature thresholds necessary for heavy industry. By utilizing high-efficiency heat pumps, these systems could enable broader adoption of carbon-neutral heating in manufacturing sectors.
The ethanol-based system achieved a coefficient of performance of 4.64 and a calculated exergy efficiency of 74.4 percent. The levelised cost of energy for this configuration is estimated at $0.0818 per kWh.
The players
University of Guanajuato
A Mexican research university focused on engineering and sustainable energy systems.
Texas A&M
A major research institution with extensive programs in energy production and thermal dynamics.
The details
The system works by using solar collectors to heat water to 99 degrees C, which then provides the energy to evaporate ethanol within a heat pump. This ethanol vapor is subsequently compressed to boost the temperature to 155.6 degrees C, addressing industrial needs that standard systems cannot meet. Additionally, researchers from Spain, Italy, and Switzerland have modeled a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system that uses solar heat to reheat air before it reaches turbines to prevent freezing during discharge.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued a call for solar thermal proposals.
The Tech Race
This research follows a pattern set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy solar thermal proposal initiative. It directly targets the efficiency limitations of current solar thermal collectors compared to the higher heat requirements mandated by modern industrial standards.
The ethanol-based configuration has an estimated simple payback period of 8.5 years for industrial operators. While currently a research-stage technology, such systems could eventually mitigate 3,613 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The takeaway
This technology highlights a potential path toward carbon-neutral industrial heating for operations requiring temperatures above 120 degrees C. Watch for follow-up performance benchmarks as the compressed air storage models advance beyond their current TRL 3-4 development phase.
Further reading
For more on the current state of thermal power generation, see our Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by @businessline.
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Do you believe new solar thermal technologies can reliably meet industrial heating demands?
