Coupling of temperatures and power outputs in hybrid photovoltaic and thermoelectric modules

Abstract

The hybrid system of a photovoltaic solar-cell module and a thermoelectric module has drawn considerable attention recently. Here, unlike most of the previously reported work, we present an analysis that intimately couples the nodal temperatures of the system and power outputs of both modules. Within the range of selected solar constants, we have obtained efficiencies for hybrid systems in comparison with those of photovoltaic solar cells alone. Our findings indicate that, for parametric values chosen herein, the former are generally lower than the latter, unless thermal electric materials of low-valued thermal conductivities and high-valued Seebeck coefficients can be found or fabricated.