Theoretical and experimental investigation of a photovoltaic/thermal panel partially equipped with thermoelectric generator under unstable operating conditions

Abstract

The efficiency of photovoltaic cell is highly temperature-dependent; therefore, the performance of these solar panels would be increased by decreasing the temperature. In this research, a novel integration of coupling thermal photovoltaic panels with thermoelectric generator module (PVT-TEG) is investigated for possible application in reducing cell temperature in order to increase output electrical power, thermal efficiency, and overall efficiency of the integrated PVT-TEG system. Initially, component validation is performed by experimental data with equipment in the energy laboratory for high reliability. In the hybrid system (PVT-TEG), one-third of a monocrystalline PV panel backside was equipped with thermoelectric generators (TEG), while aluminum water blocks were attached to the cold side of TEGs for cooling aim, then tested and compared with a simple panel at the same environment condition (Shahrood city in Iran) from August until September 2020. In this study, the influence of water velocity and its temperature are studied simultaneously. In addition, mathematical modeling is based on thermal resistance, whereas the impact of the thermal resistance of adjacent layers, TEGs, and the upper heat loss thermal resistance on the PVT-TEG system and simple panel properties are investigated, respectively. Experimental and theoretical data are validated with obtained results from MATLAB and showed acceptable deviation error with less than 18%. The electricity generated in the PVT-TEG panel is 8.5% more than a simple panel. TEG power generation has a small share of total power generation, so economic assessment is essential for industrial production.Finally, parametric analysis in PVT-TEG estimates 70% higher total efficiency compared with conventional simple panel.

Evolution of Thermoelectric Generators: From Application to Hybridization

“…In Figure 8b, Nikzad et al. [ 337 ] studied the coupled integration of thermal photovoltaic panels with TEGs module. Fourteen TEGs are connected on the hot side to the back side of a customized panel with twenty‐one monocrystalline cells.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [ 337 ] Copyright 2022, Wiley‐VCH. c) Hybrid generator for infrared light harvesting.…”

“…When the TEGs are fully exposed to sunlight, the temperature gradient between the hot and cold ends of the TEGs can be as high as 20.9 °C. In Figure 8b, Nikzad et al [337] studied the coupled integration of thermal photovoltaic panels with TEGs module. Fourteen TEGs are connected on the hot side to the back side of a customized panel with twenty-one monocrystalline cells.…”

“…Thus, TEGs can be coupled with TENG, photovoltaic generators, and PENG, to serve as more efficient energy harvesting systems. [ 24,80,83,118,123,125,246,316–342 ] The hybrid generators formed by the combination of the above three types of generators and TEGs are introduced one by one. They can be used in combination to improve power generation efficiency and enable diverse energy conversion.…”

“…b) Thermal photovoltaic panels with TEGs module. Reproduced with permission [337]. Copyright 2022, Wiley-VCH.…”