Which power cycle is the best fit for parabolic trough solar collectors? A comparative and comprehensive case study for six sub-configurations of the three main cycles

•The performance of the six sub-configurations of the three main cycles was examined.•The best system configuration for PTC systems was revealed by considering annual meteorological data.•Effect of DNI and incident angle on system performance was investigated.•The question “Is DNI or incident angle more effective on power production” was scrutinized and answered.•The performances of sub-cycles were compared in terms of energy, exergy, economics and environment. In this study, the integration of a Parabolic Trough Collector with different power cycles was investigated on an annual basis in terms of Energy, Exergy, Economics and Environmental under different meteorological conditions. A parabolic trough collector with 500 collectors with a gross and net aperture area of 432,000 and 817.43 m2, was installed in a place that has a high solar energy potential. With a Parabolic trough collector, hourly Direct Normal Irradiation, wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature and incident angle values were obtained for the 15th of each month for a year. The performance of the 3 power cycles with 6 different configurations using the Parabolic trough collector as the heat source was comprehensively analyzed and compared. During the dynamic data use and various commonly used power systems comparing study, it was aimed to answer the most commonly asked questions by the researchers in this area. To do this, the effect of direct normal irradiation and incident angle on the performance of systems to reach the maximum net power was studied. After calculations, the maximum net power was not found on July 15 (12:00) when the maximum direct normal irradiation (840.868 W/m2) was seen. The maximum net power (67867 kW) was found on September 15 (12:00) when the incident angle was minimum (1.71°) along with the high direct normal irradiation. Steam Rankine Cycle, Organic Rankine Cycle and Kalina Cycle performance comparisons were made both annually depending on time and with different configurations and fluids. In addition to tangibly showing the superiority of incident angle on direct normal irradiation, the present study aimed to present the best-performing system configuration for the researcher, user, scientists, and manufacturers. Interestingly, while the Organic Rankine Cycle with heat exchanger with R123 showed better performance in terms of power production and carbon dioxide emission reduction, the Kalina Cycle was found much more feasible in terms of economics.