Research and Reviews in Sustainability 2977-8441 Caravel Press 10.5334/rss.1 2025.003 The Potential of Small-Scale Solar Organic Rankine Cycle Systems for Decentralised Power Generation in Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4716-8498 SovetovaMeruyert meruyert.sovetova@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8462-0420 KutluCagri cagri.kutlu2@nottingham.ac.uk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6616-7626 SuYuehong yuehong.su@nottingham.ac.uk https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3911-0851 RiffatSaffa saffa.riffat@nottingham.ac.uk Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK; School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS2 8AG, UK 03102025 1 32 47 3 October 2025 © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Caravel Press. 2025 This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 licence.

Access to affordable and reliable electricity remains a significant challenge in Africa, particularly in remote and rural areas where centralised grid expansion is economically unfeasible. Small-scale solar organic Rankine cycle (SORC) systems offer a promising solution for decentralised power generation. The review explores the potential of solar organic Rankine cycle systems as a small-scale power generation solution for Africa with a specific focus on affordable components, including solar collectors, expanders and working fluids. It highlights the importance of cost-effective solutions for SORC. Despite considerable research on SORC systems globally, there is a noticeable lack of studies specifically addressing SORC performance in the climate conditions of Africa. Future research should prioritise optimising system design for this region, focusing on low-cost, robust solutions for variable solar input and limited infrastructure.

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