Abstract
In this study, the performance of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules in converting the excess photovoltaic (PV) temperature to electricity in a hybrid photovoltaic/thermoelectric (PV/TEG) generator system is investigated. A one-dimensional analytical heat transfer model for the hybrid PV/TEG with pin-fin based heat sink is developed in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) and simulated under tracking and non-tracking conditions. The solar irradiance collected by the PV/TEG system under tracking and non-tracking conditions was calculated using the Solar Emulator tool via TracePro software. The effect of varying solar radiation and a varying number of TEGs on PV temperature, PV output, and TEG output is evaluated using solar radiation on March 15, 2020, in the Jalan Taylor’s, Malaysia (3.0626° N, 101.6168° E). Finally, the optimum number of TEG modules required for maximum TEG power output in the hybrid PV/TEG system under tracking and non-tracking conditions is investigated and discussed. The maximum net PTEG is obtained for 336, 339, and 341 TEGs under no-tracking, single-axis, and dual-axis tracking conditions, respectively.
Highlights
Photovoltaic (PV) devices can directly convert solar energy into electricity
A hybrid PV/thermoelectric generator (TEG) system's performance under tracking and the notracking condition is simulated via Engineering Equation Solver (EES)
The TEG modules are integrated at the PV panel's rear side to make use of the excess PV temperature
Summary
Photovoltaic (PV) devices can directly convert solar energy into electricity. The main drawback of such devices is that a large portion of solar energy is absorbed as heat and affects the efficiency of the PV. TEGs are solid-state devices that utilise the Seebeck effect to convert thermal energy (temperature gradient) into electricity [1], [2]. Several such hybrid systems have been reviewed recently [3,4,5,6,7,8]. Kutt et al [18] optimised the number of TEG in a parabolic based concentrated solar TEG considering the electric power productivity for a full year. The novelty of the present work is that a hybrid PV/TEG's performance and the optimum number of TEGs required for maximum output is evaluated for three operating conditions: without tracking, single-axis tracking, and dual-axis tracking. The onedimensional energy transfer equations of the hybrid system are solved analytically in the EES environment
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