Understanding the expected performance of large-scale solar ponds from laboratory-scale observations and numerical modeling.

Highlights: [•] Experiments and numerical models were analyzed to understand solar pond efficiency. [•] Boundary effects typically reduce the efficiency of small-scale solar ponds. [•] Artificial lighting affects the energy that reaches the lower convective zone. [•] Turbidity is more important in large-scale solar ponds and decreases its efficiency. [•] Large-scale solar ponds collect more energy than small-scale solar ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]