Integration of solid oxide fuel cells with solar energy systems: A review

Solid oxide fuel cell first came up with the discovery of solid oxide electrolytes during last years of the 19th century. Despite all the years that have passed since this discovery, solid oxide fuel cells have a long way to be fully commercialized. Besides, utilizing solar energy as integrated with solid oxide fuel cells can enhance their environmental advantages and reduce the cost of fuel provision. In this review study, the integration of solar energy and solid oxide fuel cells is explored throughout the literature. Accordingly, all substantial efforts of the research field are investigated and are categorized into four major titles, namely modeling and simulation studies, exergy and exergoeconomic studies, control studies, and optimization studies of integrated solar energy and solid oxide fuel cells. This classification is conducted to make a proper balance among the performed studies based on the research methodology. The results reveal that there are an enormous lack in experimental studies on the integration of SOFC and solar energy which calls for more works. Moreover, the gaps and suggestions for future works have been proposed based on combining new technologies, like using high-technology solar devices with SOFCs to get better performance and efficiency. So, this review study could be a novel and proper guide for future works in this field.