Real-time Thermal Energy Harvesting from Solar Radiation in Malaysia at Low-Temperature Difference

Abstract

.Malaysia is located in a tropical climate with an abundance of solar radiation. Due to the low albedo of roofing material, around 20 % to 90 % of heat is absorbed from solar radiation. Thus, it is possible to harvest thermal energy from solar radiation using TEG, which promotes the diversity of renewable energy sources in Malaysia. Previous research evaluates the potential of thermal energy harvesting of the TEG open circuit voltage and unipolar condition. Thereby, this research focuses on designing and developing a thermal energy harvesting system (TEHS) for harvesting thermal energy at low-temperature differences from solar radiation. The TEHS can harvest thermal energy in bipolar conditions, different voltage levels, TEG input voltage fluctuations, and rapid weather-changing conditions during real-time field tests. Parallel with series balance TEG array configuration obtained impedance matching at 125 Ω. The field test method was conducted for 105 days. The maximum mean efficiency obtained is 94.33 %, with an output power range between 0.46 mW and 66.10 mW. The promising finding indicates that the developed TEHS is robust and capable of operating at optimum power transfer at uncontrollable solar radiation and weather conditions. In addition, the potential of the power generated evaluation is to be used as a power supply to several sensor nodes.