This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.
Jayawantkumar Rohidas Wadile,
Amit M. Adhaye,
- Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Sandip University, Maharashtra, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Sandip University, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Reflective materials play a critical role in determining the optical and thermal performance of solar thermal systems by controlling the concentration and utilization of incident solar radiation. This review examines the application and performance of polymer-based and polymer-metallic reflective materials for solar thermal applications, with particular emphasis on their suitability for solar cookers and concentrating solar technologies. Four commonly used reflector materials—aluminum foil, anodized aluminum, Mylar (metallized polyester film), and acrylic mirror—are comparatively evaluated in terms of optical reflectivity, solar-weighted performance, thermal behavior, durability, weather resistance, and economic feasibility. The review discusses the advantages and limitations of metallic, polymeric, and polymer-metallic reflector configurations, including their resistance to oxidation, degradation under ultraviolet radiation, mechanical stability, and ability to maintain reflectance under outdoor operating conditions. In addition, the influence of reflector properties on solar concentration, heat generation, and overall system efficiency is examined. The potential of lightweight and flexible polymer-metallic films as low-cost alternatives to conventional rigid metallic reflectors is also highlighted. Furthermore, the review identifies key challenges related to long-term durability, environmental exposure, surface degradation, and recyclability. The findings provide a comprehensive basis for selecting and developing reflective materials that can improve the efficiency, affordability, durability, and scalability of solar thermal systems, particularly in applications such as sustainable cooking and decentralized renewable-energy technologies.
Keywords: Polymer reflective materials, Polymer-metallic reflectors, Solar thermal applications, Solar reflectors, Optical reflectivity, Metallized polyester film, Aluminum foil, Anodized aluminum, Acrylic mirror, Solar cookers.
References
[1] Ceviz, M. A., Muratçobanoğlu, B., Mandev, E., & Afshari, F. (2024). A comprehensive review of solar cooking systems. WIREs Energy and Environment, 13(2), e516.
[2] Abed, A. A., El-Marghany, M. R., El-Awady, W. M., & Hamed, A. M. (2024). Recent advances in parabolic dish solar concentrators: Receiver design, heat loss reduction, and nanofluid optimization. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 273, 112930.
[3] Fasquelle, T., Kadoch, B., Guillet, G., & Barbosa, S. (2024). Realistic ray-tracing model of a Scheffler reflector based on experimental data. Renewable Energy, 231, 120856.
[4] Tawfik, M. A., Sagade, A. A., Palma-Behnke, R., El-Shal, H. M., & Abd Allah, W. E. (2021). Solar cooker with tracking-type bottom reflector: An experimental thermal performance evaluation. Solar Energy, 220, 295–315.
[5] Arunachala, U. C., & Kundapur, A. (2020). Cost-effective solar cookers: A global review. Solar Energy, 208, 858–882.
[6] Bhende, A. G., Patil, R. B., & Chavan, D. S. (2024). Efficiency optimization of solar cookers: A comprehensive review. IEEE Xplore, 10840812.
[7] Chaudhari, A. S., Patel, D. M., & Sharma, H. K. (2023). Enhancing solar cooker performance through novel materials and design. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2800, 020070.
[8] Gorjian, S., Ebadi, H., & Amanlou, Y. (2022). Performance evaluation of different solar cooker types in various climatic conditions. Solar Energy, 245, 157-172.
[9] Panwar, N. L., Kaushik, S. C., & Kothari, S. (2012). State of the art of solar cooking: An overview. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(6), 3776–3785.
[10] Lentswe, K., Mawire, A., Owusu, P., & Shobo, A. (2021). A review of parabolic solar cookers with thermal energy storage. Heliyon, 7(12), e08596.
[11] Kumar, P., Aadiwal, R., & Hassani, M. (2017). An overview study of solar cookers. IRJET, 4(10), 1493–1499.
[12] Cuce, E., & Cuce, P. M. (2013). A comprehensive review on solar cookers. Applied Energy, 102, 1399–1421.
[13] Geddam, S., Dinesh, G. K., & Sivasankar, T. (2015). Determination of thermal performance of a box type solar cooker. Solar Energy, 113, 343–350.
[14] Misra, P. K., Tiwari, A., & Singh, R. (2023). Solar cooking technology: A review of recent developments and future directions. Energies, 16(4), 1697.
[15] Harmim, A., Belhamel, M., Boukar, M., & Amar, M. (2010). Experimental investigation of a box-type solar cooker with a finned absorber plate. Energy, 35(9), 3799–3805.
[16] Saxena, A., Sharma, A., & Purohit, R. (2022). Investigating the thermal performance of solar cookers under varying environmental conditions. Env. Sci. Pollut. Res., 29(15), 22670-22688.
[17] Yettou, F., Azoui, B., Malek, A., Gama, A., & Amar, M. (2014). Solar cookers design, principles and performance. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 37, 288–306.
[18] Khatri, R., Suman, B. M., & Sudhakar, K. (2021). Design and performance evaluation of solar cookers. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 151, 111587.
[19] Odoi-Yorke, F., Asamoah, D. O., & Osei, D. (2024). Scientific mapping of experimental research on solar cookers. Solar Energy, 270, 112340.
[20] Wentzel, M., & Pouris, A. (2007). The development impact of solar cookers in developing countries. Energy Policy, 35(3), 1909-1922.
[21] Nahar, N. M. (2001). Design, development and testing of a double reflector hot box solar cooker. Renewable Energy, 23(2), 167–179.
[22] Bhave, A. G., & Kale, C. K. (2020). Development of a thermal storage type solar cooker using solar salt. Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells, 209, 110456.
[23] Kumar, A., Muthusamy, E., & Kumar, R. (2025). Advanced materials, innovations, and strategic arrangement mechanisms for solar cooking technologies. J. Renew. Sust. Energy, 17(4), 042701.
[24] Al-Ali, Y., & Saghir, M. Z. (2018). Design of a hybrid solar collector with ray tracing using SolTrace. Solar Energy, 159, 861–873.
[25] Carrascal, M., & Díaz, M. (2020). Evaluation of intercept factor and optical efficiency using SolTrace. Energy, 196, 117033.
[26] Fang, X., Tan, H., & Liu, Y. (2014). Optical simulation and optimization of a dish solar collector using SolTrace. Energy Conv. Manage., 84, 176–183.
[27] Moreno, M. C., et al. (2017). Optical analysis of a central receiver solar power plant using SolTrace. Renewable Energy, 114, 1291–1300.
[28] Patil, S. S., & Reddy, K. S. (2016). Monte Carlo ray-tracing in SolTrace for line-focus collector. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 66, 674–689.
[29] Yadav, A., & Kaushik, S. C. (2019). Thermodynamic evaluation and optical modeling of parabolic trough collector. J. Clean. Prod., 220, 836–850.
[30] Aragaw, Y. T., & Adem, K. D. (2022). Development and performance evaluation of tube-type direct solar oven. Heliyon, 8(11), e11502.
[31] Ajbar, W., Parrales, A., Huicochea, A., & Hernández, J. A. (2022). Comprehensive review on parabolic trough collectors. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 156, 111947.
[32] Sharma, S., Saha, S. K., Kedare, S. B., & Singh, S. (2020). Thermal performance of helical coil receiver with Fresnel lens. Appl. Therm. Eng., 165, 114608.
[33] Yang, Q., Zhang, C., Xu, S., & You, S. (2024). Multi-physics coupling in suspension flow photothermal conversion. Int. Comm. Heat Mass Transf., 159, 107977.
[34] Hafez, A. Z., et al. (2018). Design analysis of solar parabolic trough thermal collectors. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 82, 1215–1260.
[35] Huang, X., et al. (2014). Development of multi-dish model for solar energy concentrator system. Solar Energy, 107, 617–627.
[36] Sandeep, H. M., & Arunachala, U. C. (2017). Solar parabolic trough collectors: Heat transfer augmentation techniques. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., 69, 1218–1231.
Journal of Polymer & Composites
| Volume | 14 | |
| 05 | ||
| Received | 29/08/2026 | |
| Accepted | 15/09/2026 | |
| Published | 26/09/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 28 Days |