Optimization, exergy, and innovation in PTC systems: A scientometric review

Abstract

This paper examines the research patterns and trends of the parabolic trough collectors around the world from 2014 to 2025. Data (keywords in articles) was collected from the Scopus academic Journal. A co-word analysis was conducted to measure the correlation among the extracted keywords. The thematic mapping of research topics identifies optimization, exergy analysis, and the organic Rankine cycle as the most mature and influential themes within the PTC and concentrated solar power (CSP) literature. The study results show that the comprehensive analysis of the parabolic trough solar collector research landscape from 2014 to 2024 demonstrates a field characterized by significant growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evolving thematic focus. The sustained increase in scholarly output and the prominence of key research themes such as optimization, exergy analysis, and advanced heat transfer fluids reflect the domain's maturation and dynamism.