Is it possible for a photovoltaic-thermoelectric device to generate electricity at night?

Abstract

Photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) conversion is a promising method for power generation, which converts solar power into electricity using the photovoltaic (PV) effect of solar cells and simultaneously generates electricity by the Seebeck effect of the thermoelectric (TE) device based on the waste heat of solar cells. Here, the power generation of the PV-TE device at night is experimentally demonstrated using radiative cooling that harnesses the cold of the universe directly. The PV-TE device is constructed by attaching a TE device on the bottom of the glass-covered PV module, with a heat sink stuck on the opposite side of the TE device. The open-circuit voltage of the TE device integrated into the PV-TE device was measured to be approximately 9 mV, indicating that the PV-TE device can definitely generate electricity from the darkness. Moreover, a new configuration of the PV-TE device for continuous power generation in the day and night is conceptually proposed for further consideration. In summary, this work proves the possibility of the PV-TE device for nighttime power generation, which could provide an alternative pathway for a wide range of nighttime and all-day power-consumed applications, such as lower power sensors and monitors. • Nighttime power generation of the PV-TE device was experimentally demonstrated. • An average output voltage of the PV-TE device was measured as 9 mV in night. • A new configuration of the PV-TE device for continuous power generation is proposed. • This work provides an alternative pathway for nighttime and all-day applications.