The laboratory of Solar thermal and power installations was founded in 1975 by the doctor of technical sciences, Professor R. R. Avezov as a part of Physico-technical Institute (FTI) of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, in the city of Tashkent.

The main direction of scientific research is development, optimization of thermal characteristics and creation of prototypes of low-potential solar thermal installations and systems of heat supply on their basis; development and improvement, optimization of the main parameters of insolation passive systems of solar heating, adapted to climatic conditions of Uzbekistan; development and circuit-thermal optimization of parameters of solar-fuel installations of heat supply of individual and collective consumers; development and creation of solar water-desalination plants; development and thermal optimization of the parameters of solar greenhouses with heat storage; exergy analysis of the efficiency of solar thermal power plants; study of the thermal properties of phase transition materials for use in solar thermal installations as a heat accumulator; study of the thermal properties of nanofluids for use in solar converters as a coolant, etc.

Over the past 10 years, the laboratory staff has completed 10 projects: 2 fundamental, 6 applied (including 2 youth) and 2 innovative projects. The main research work, carried out in the framework of fundamental projects is to develop the theoretical foundations of the thermal conversion of solar energy. Research, in the framework of applied and innovative projects, aimed at the development of efficient solar thermal installations for various purposes, the development of innovative and new technical solutions for implementation in various sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan. 

 The laboratory carries out the following research projects:

1. Project of fundamental research F3-FA-O-50940 on " Study of thermal and dynamic characteristics of solar heating insolation systems and thermodynamic solar energy converters." Scientific supervisor - Ph.D., V.N.S., Avezova N.R..;

2. Scientific and technical project FA-A4-F030 on " Development and implementation of rapid methods of thermal testing and determination of the main thermal parameters of flat solar collectors and absorbers for heating liquid coolant." Scientific supervisor - Ph.D., V.N.S.,  Avezova N.R.;

3. Innovative project FA-I4-F003 on "the Creation and commissioning of solar heating and air conditioning systems of the administrative building of PP LLC "Tashelektromash". Scientific supervisor - Ph.D., V.N.S.,  Avezova N.R.

4. Scientific and technical project FA-A4-F023 on the theme "Development of an automated control system of the heliostatic field". Scientific supervisor - Ph.D., S.N.S.,  Akhatov Zh.S. ;

5. International Uzbek-Chinese project: "Investigation of the physical properties of nanofluids as a heat transfer fluid and their influence on thermal-technical characteristics of low temperature solar applications. (Joint Project: Uzbekistan-China)". Scientific supervisor - Ph.D., S.N.S., Akhatov Zh.S;

6. Study of thermal characteristics of phase-transition heat accumulators in low-temperature solar installations. Scientific supervisor - M.N.S.,  Zhuraev E.T.

The most important results are as follows:

Fundamental study

Researches on development of theoretical and practical bases of thermal calculation of flat solar collectors for heating of the liquid heat carrier are completed. Based on the results of these studies, the calculated expressions for determining the average mass temperature of the coolant in the heat-conducting channels of the radiation-absorbing panels of the collectors of this type are obtained for the first time; the coefficient of thermal efficiency; the average temperature of the surface of the effective reduced coefficient of heat loss of the radiation-absorbing panels of collectors in the environment, which (in contrast to the studies of foreign scientists) takes into account the partial absorption and conversion into heat of solar radiation, passing through the translucent coating of the body of the collectors in question. Based on the implementation of the theoretical results, obtained in the practice of thermal flow of solar water heating collectors, for the first time, created their thermal model, allows to determine their heating capacity, depending on a predetermined value of the temperature of the hot water, obtained from them; set the specific annual heating capacity; technical, economic and environmental performance of solar water heating collectors at temperatures of hot water from 35 to 60°C. Based on the implementation of the results of the completed basic research, a schematic diagram of the test bench for thermal testing of solar water heating collectors is proposed, a technique and procedure for conducting short-term thermal tests with its help is developed, which can significantly (4÷5 times) reduce material and financial costs and terms of testing.
The regularity of the processes of thermal transformation and use of solar energy in passive insolation heating systems with multifunctional energy-active three-layer translucent barriers is studied. The scientific bases of forecasting and regulation of temperature conditions of the air environment of the heated room by means of the considered systems are developed. The mechanism of processes formation of natural heat accumulation in the internal layers of massive fences of the room, heated by the systems under consideration, is studied and the necessary volume of short-term accumulator of daily excess heat of solar radiation from low-temperature phase-transition materials is determined. Heat and hydraulic characteristics of multifunctional three-layer energy-active translucent barriers with ventilated air layers and partially radiant laminate coatings, made of thin polymer films, were studied. Based on the implementation of the results of fundamental research in this area, it is found, that the use of multifunctional energy-active translucent fencing in passive insolation heating systems can improve the efficiency of solar energy by 5÷10% (compared to traditional) and significantly reduce the summer heat in the room through its light transmission.

Applied research

The method of calculation of productivity, thermal efficiency and coefficient of use of primary heat of solar water desalination plant with multistage evaporation and condensation chamber (MIC) is developed. A prototype of a solar desalination plant with MIC was developed and manufactured. It is shown, that due to the recuperative use of condensation heat in solar desalinators with MIC, the productivity can be increased up to two times (6-7L.per day), compared to the usual greenhouse type desalination (up to 3l. per day).

Designed solar water water-desalinating installation, operating based on the method of reverse osmosis purification of salty waters with the capacity of 100L. a day. A prototype of the installation was created and tests were carried out in full-scale conditions. As shown by the results of tests during the year, the installation is one of the economically and technically advantageous system for use as an autonomous drinking water supply system for remote consumers of the Republic. The prototype of the installation consists of a solar panel with a capacity of 30W and a battery (24V, 8A∙h), a booster pump (24V, 0.6 A), and a five-stage back osmotic system for salt water purification.

Innovative research

According to the results of the completed studies, in the first, (in the administrative building of PP LLC "Elektromash") on the example of the development, creation and generalization of experience in the operation of solar hot water supply, passive insolation and panel-radiant solar heating and air conditioning systems, based on one-and two-stage evaporative air, cooling and rotating heat regenerators, proved the possibility of a significant expansion of the use of combined solar heating systems and air conditioning, without the use of refrigeration machines, that provide savings of traditional fuel and energy resources up to 50% or more.

The design, the corresponding geometrical, optical and thermal parameters are optimized, the solar complex for cultivation and drying of agricultural products with a total area of 100m2 in the Bukhara region is created and put into operation. With the help of this complex in flight mode, it is possible to dry 1.0-1.5 tons of agricultural products (vegetables, fruits, etc.) in one go, and during the year, taking into account the duration of the cycles, depending on the type of product, it is possible to dry 10-12 tons of agricultural products. The complex includes a 3kW low-power photovoltaic plant, which provide autonomous operation of the ventilation and lighting system of the complex and additional facilities, designed for processing and storage of products. The complex produces an average of 2kW daily.h of electric energy (using FES) and about 300 kW.- heat energy. Due to the use of this complex, you can save 2kW daily.h of electric energy and 40-45 m3 of natural gas.

Laboratory staff maintain close ties with leading research centers in Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Israel, China, etc., and actively participate in international scientific conferences.

Over the past 10 years, 120 publications have been published in this direction, 98 of them abroad, in prestigious scientific journals, and 21 patents have been obtained.