Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a combined solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) generator system is investigated. The TE generator converts the temperature gradient into electricity eventually improving the overall performance of the system. A nanostructured TE material is used in this investigation and its power generation performance is compared with the traditional TE material. Using the analytical solutions, different performance parameters (e.g. heat input, power output, efficiency) are calculated and expressed graphically as a function of solar radiation and convection heat transfer coefficient. In addition to this, different performance parameters were also compared between traditional and nanostructured TE materials. Moreover, the nanostructured TE material leads to improvement in performance of TE generator due to the reduction in thermal conductivity and improvement in electrical conductivity. The TE generators have a large impact on the overall efficiency of the combined system at higher radiation.

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